31 December 2002
NEW HARBOURS ORDER INTRODUCED INTO NORTHERN IRELAND
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Angela Smith, MP, has welcomed the introduction of the Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.
Angela Smith said: "I am pleased to announce that this Order has been made. The need for this legislation arose from the concerns of the general public and local elected representatives in the activities and future development plans of the individual harbour authorities."
"The main purpose of the Order is to enhance the public accountability of the main Northern Ireland trust ports and to improve the arrangements to safeguard public interest."
The Order has three main provisions. The first relates to a power for the Department to issue directions to the harbour authorities for the purpose of safeguarding the public interest. The second deals with the power for the Department to obtain information from the harbour authorities and the third relates to the power for the Department to issue Codes of Practice for the trust ports.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 was made at Privy Council on 17 December 2002. The Harbours legislation was part of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s legislative programme that the Secretary of State announced would be progressed at Westminster.
- Printed copies of the Order are available from the Stationery Office, Arthur Street, Belfast.
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