The Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

Annual and other reports of Authority

6.—(1) The Authority shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, make to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (in this Order referred to as “the Department”) a report (the “annual report” for that year) on—

(a) its activities during that year; and

(b) the activities of the Competition Commission during that year in respect of any references made by the Authority.

(2) The annual report for each year shall include—

(a) a general survey of developments in respect of matters falling within the scope of the Authority’s functions;

(b) a report on the progress of the projects described in the forward work programme for that year;

(c) a summary of final and provisional orders made, and penalties imposed, by the Authority under Part VI during the year; and

(d) a report on such other matters as the Department may from time to time require.

(3) The annual report for each year shall set out any general directions given by the Department under—

(a) Article 50(2) of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 (NI 1) (in this Order referred to as “the Electricity Order”); or

(b) Article 27(2) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 2) (in this Order referred to as “the Gas Order”).

(4) The Department shall consult the Authority before exercising the power under paragraph (2)(d) in relation to any matter.

(5) The Department shall—

(a) lay a copy of each annual report before the Assembly; and

(b) arrange for the report to be published in such manner as the Department considers appropriate.

(6) The Authority shall also make to the Department such reports with respect to the matters mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) as the Department may require and the Authority shall, if the Department so directs, arrange for copies of any report under this paragraph to be published in such manner as is specified in the direction.

(7) The Authority may also prepare other reports with respect to any matter falling within the scope of its functions and may arrange for any such report to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(8) The Authority shall send—

(a) a copy of each annual or other report published under this Article to the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (in this Order referred to as “the Council”); and

(b) a copy of each report under paragraph (7) to the Department.

(9) In making or preparing any report under this Article the Authority shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as that is practicable, any matter which relates to the affairs of a particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate), where publication of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the Authority, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.

(10) Paragraph 12A of Schedule 7 to the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41) (annual reports of Competition Commission) does not apply to activities of the Competition Commission on which the Authority is required to report under this Article.