Environment Act 2021

Policy statement on environmental principles: process

7 (1) The Department must prepare a draft of the policy statement on environmental principles.

(2) The Department must consult—

(a) the other Northern Ireland departments,

(b) the Secretary of State, and

(c) such other persons as the Department considers appropriate,

in relation to the draft statement.

(3) The Department must lay the draft statement before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(4) If before the end of the 21 day period the Northern Ireland Assembly passes a resolution in respect of the draft statement, the Department must produce a response and lay it before the Assembly.

(5) The Department must prepare and lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly the final statement, but not before—

(a) if sub-paragraph (4) applies, the day on which the Department lays the response required by that sub-paragraph, or

(b) otherwise, the end of the 21 day period.

(6) The final statement has effect when it is laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(7) The Department must publish the statement when it comes into effect.

(8) The “21 day period” is the period of 21 sitting days beginning with the first sitting day after the day on which the draft statement is laid under sub-paragraph (3).

(9) “Sitting day” means a day on which the Northern Ireland Assembly sits.

(10) The requirements in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) may be met by the preparation of a draft statement, and consultation, before this paragraph comes into force.

(11) The Department may prepare a revised policy statement on environmental principles at any time (and sub-paragraphs (1) to (9) apply in relation to any revised statement).