8.—(1) The Authority may liaise, co-operate and enter into arrangements with relevant persons in—
(a)any other part of the United Kingdom;
(b)any other member State;
(c)any other State in which there is a gas pipe-line or electricity transmission system which is or may be connected (directly or indirectly) to a gas pipe-line or electricity transmission system in Northern Ireland.
(2) In paragraph (1) “relevant persons” means—
(a)persons exercising functions in relation to electricity or gas which correspond to any of those of the Authority or the Department; and
(b) persons whose activities consist of or include—
(i)generating, supplying or participating in the transmission of electricity; or
(ii)storing, supplying or participating in the conveyance of gas.