Explanatory Memorandum

Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

2015 CHAPTER 8

24 July 2015

Commentary on Sections

Part 1 – Controlled Reservoirs, Registration and Reservoir Designation

Section 7 - Multiple reservoir managers: supplementary

This section applies where there is more than one reservoir manager for a controlled reservoir. Subsection (2) provides that the requirements of the Act apply to each of the reservoir managers separately and any duties of the reservoir manager set out in the Act must be complied with by each of the reservoir managers for a reservoir.

To avoid duplication of duties and reduce the administrative burden on reservoir managers, subsection (3) enables reservoir managers to nominate one of the managers to fulfil any requirements of the Act to which they are subject. Subsection (4) provides that a nomination must specify the name, address and contact details of the nominee.

Subsection (5) requires that where such a nomination is made, the nominating manager must give notice of the nomination and what it contains to the Department, to any qualified engineer commissioned in relation to the reservoir and to the other reservoir managers for the controlled reservoir. The Department may notify and consult with the nominee (rather than the reservoir manager who made the nomination) when required to notify or consult the reservoir managers under the Act.

Similarly, engineers commissioned in relation to the reservoir may give certificates and other documents that they are required to issue under the Act to the nominee. Subsection (7) ensures that the nominated representative of the supervising engineer who, if the supervising engineer is unavailable is acting in the place of that engineer, may do the same.