(1)For the purposes of—
(a)lowering the waters of Lough Neagh (in this Act referred to as “the Lough”) from the levels at which they have been hitherto generally maintained to such other level or levels as will—
(i)reduce flooding caused by the waters of the Lough or by any waters discharging into the Lough; and
(ii)facilitate the execution under the provisions of the Drainage Act (Northern Ireland), 1947 [1947 c.9] F2, of effective drainage schemes on watercourses discharging into the Lough and on tributaries of such watercourses;
(b)maintaining the waters of the Lough at such lower level or levels;
the Ministry of Finance (in this Act referred to as “the Ministry”) F3... may, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any transferred provision in force at the commencement of this Act with respect to the Lough, prepare and operate, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Act, a scheme for the regulation and control, so far as conditions of rainfall, wind and other natural causes appear to the Ministry from time to time to permit, of the waters of the Lough within such levels as may be specified in the scheme.
(2)The Ministry may also prepare and operate, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Act relating to schemes, any further scheme or schemes supplementing or modifying any scheme made by virtue of the powers conferred by this Act.
(3)A scheme may contain such particulars and be in such form as the Ministry thinks fit, and, in particular, may contain such provisions as the Ministry considers necessary for the protection of rights or interests affected by the scheme.
(4)Every mention or reference contained in this Act of or to a scheme shall be construed as including every map, drawing, plan, section, schedule and other document annexed to such scheme.
F3Words in s. 1(1) omitted (8.5.2016) by virtue of The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 6 para. 16 (with art. 9(2))