7   General functions of Authority

(1)  The Authority has such environment protection and other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under the environment protection legislation or any other legislation.

(2)  The Authority has general responsibility for the following:

(a)  ensuring that the best practicable measures are taken for environment protection in accordance with the environment protection legislation and other legislation,

(b)  co-ordinating the activities of all public authorities in respect of those measures,

(c)  inquiring into and reporting on the efficacy of those measures,

(d)  reviewing the regulatory framework for environment protection and advising on its rationalisation and simplification,

(e)  investigating and reporting on alleged non-compliance with environment protection legislation for the purposes of prosecutions or other regulatory action,

(f)  establishing a database on the state of the environment,

(g)  advising persons engaged in industry and commerce and other members of the community on environment protection,

(h)  advising the Government on methods to ensure the integration of the Authority’s pollution approvals and licensing processes with the development consent process so that the importance of environment protection is recognised.

(3)  The Authority cannot employ any staff.

Note. Staff may be employed under Chapter 1A of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 in the Government Service to enable the Authority to exercise its functions.