Power of Department to give directions to certain bodiesN.I.
6—(1) The Department may give directions of a general or specific nature to—
F1(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)the Regional Agency, and
(c)RBSO,
as to the carrying out by that body of any of its functions.
(2) Before giving any directions to a body under subsection (1) the Department must consult that body.
(3) Where the Department is of the opinion that because of the urgency of the matter it is necessary to give directions under subsection (1) without consulting the body concerned—
(a)subsection (2) does not apply; but
(b)the Department must as soon as reasonably practicable give notice to that body of the grounds on which the Department formed that opinion.
(4) Where the Department is of the opinion that (for any reason other than the urgency of the matter) it is not reasonably practicable to comply with subsection (2)—
(a)that subsection does not apply; but
(b)the Department must as soon as reasonably practicable give notice to the body concerned of the grounds on which the Department formed that opinion.
(5) It is the duty of a body to comply with any directions given to it under subsection (1).
(6) Subsection (1) does not affect the Department's powers to give directions apart from this section.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 6(1)(a) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 231; S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)