ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986 - SECT 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986 - SECT 16
16 . Functions of Authority
The functions of the
Authority are —
(a) to
conduct environmental impact assessments; and
[(aa) deleted]
(b) to
consider and initiate the means of protecting the environment and the means of
preventing, controlling and abating pollution and environmental harm; and
(c) to
encourage and carry out studies, investigations and research into the problems
of environmental protection and the prevention, control and abatement of
pollution and environmental harm; and
(d) to
obtain the advice of persons having special knowledge, experience or
responsibility in regard to environmental protection and the prevention,
control and abatement of pollution and environmental harm; and
(da) to
advise the Minister on the making or amendment of regulations when requested
by the Minister to do so or on its own initiative; and
(e) to
advise the Minister on environmental matters generally and on any matter which
the Minister may refer to it for advice, including the environmental
protection aspects of any proposal or scheme, and on the evaluation of
information relating thereto; and
(f) to
prepare, and seek approval for, environmental protection policies; and
(g) to
promote environmental awareness within the community and to encourage
understanding by the community of the environment; and
(h) to
receive representations on environmental matters from members of the public;
and
(i)
to provide advice on environmental matters to members of
the public; and
(j) to
publish reports on environmental matters generally; and
(k) to
publish for the benefit of planners, builders, engineers or other persons
guidelines to assist them in undertaking their activities in such a manner as
to minimise the effect on the environment of those activities or the results
thereof; and
(l) to
keep under review the progress made in the attainment of the objects and
purpose of this Act; and
(m) to
coordinate all such activities, whether governmental or otherwise, as are
necessary to protect, restore or improve the environment in the State; and
(n) to
establish and develop criteria for the assessment of the extent of
environmental change, pollution and environmental harm; and
(o) to
specify standards and criteria, and the methods of sampling and testing to be
used for any purpose; and
(p) to
promote, encourage, coordinate or carry out planning and projects in
environmental management; and
(q)
generally, to perform such other functions as are conferred by this Act or
prescribed.
[Section 16 amended: No. 23 of 1996 s. 13; No. 54
of 2003 s. 31, 106 and 125; No. 40 of 2020 s. 11 and 111(1).]