SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 2Improving the natural environment: Northern Ireland

PART 2Policy statement on environmental principles

I1I28Policy statement on environmental principles: effect

1

A Northern Ireland department must, when making policy, have due regard to the policy statement on environmental principles currently in effect.

2

A Minister of the Crown must, when making policy so far as relating to Northern Ireland, have due regard to the policy statement on environmental principles currently in effect.

3

Nothing in this paragraph requires a Northern Ireland department or a Minister of the Crown to do anything (or refrain from doing anything) if doing it (or refraining from doing it)—

a

would have no significant environmental benefit, or

b

would be in any other way disproportionate to the environmental benefit.

4

Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to policies so far as relating to taxation, spending or the allocation of resources within government.

5

Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply to policies so far as relating to—

a

the armed forces, defence or national security, or

b

taxation, spending or the allocation of resources within government.