SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 6Financial assistance: powers of devolved authorities

3Power of the Northern Ireland department

1

The Northern Ireland department may give financial assistance, or arrange for financial assistance to be given, to any person for any of the following purposes—

a

the conservation, enhancement or restoration of the marine and aquatic environment;

b

the promotion or development of commercial fish or aquaculture activities;

c

the reorganisation of businesses involved in commercial fish or aquaculture activities;

d

contributing to the expenses of persons involved in commercial fish or aquaculture activities;

e

maintaining or improving the health and safety of individuals who are involved in commercial fish or aquaculture activities;

f

the training of individuals who are, were or intend to become involved in commercial fish or aquaculture activities, or are family members of such individuals;

g

the economic development or social improvement of areas in which commercial fish or aquaculture activities are carried out;

h

improving the arrangements for the use of catch quotas or effort quotas;

i

the promotion or development of recreational fishing.

2

Financial assistance given under, or under arrangements made pursuant to, sub-paragraph (1) must be given in accordance with a scheme established by regulations made by the Northern Ireland department.

3

The scheme may only provide for financial assistance to be given—

a

in relation to Northern Ireland or the Northern Ireland zone, or

b

in relation to Northern Ireland fishing boats.

4

The scheme may—

a

confer functions (including functions involving the exercise of a discretion) on a person;

b

require a person on whom functions are conferred to keep, and make available for inspection, accounts and other records;

c

require the Northern Ireland department, or another person, to publish specified information about financial assistance given in accordance with the scheme.

5

In sub-paragraph (4)(c) “specified” means specified by the scheme; and information that may be specified under that provision includes information about—

a

the recipient of the financial assistance;

b

the amount of the financial assistance;

c

the purpose for which the financial assistance was given.

6

The scheme may not impose a duty to publish information where its publication would (taking the duty into account) contravene the data protection legislation (within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 2018).

7

The scheme may include provision under which—

a

financial assistance is given subject to conditions specified by, or in accordance with, the scheme;

b

financial assistance is required to be repaid in circumstances specified by, or in accordance with, the scheme.

8

Regulations under this paragraph are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.

9

In this paragraph—

  • “family member”, in relation to an individual (“P”), means—

    1. a

      P’s spouse or civil partner,

    2. b

      a child or grandchild of P or of P’s spouse or civil partner, or

    3. c

      a parent or grandparent of P or of P’s spouse or civil partner;

  • “financial assistance” means grants or loans.