Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 5th March, 2021.

The Government, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 5 (12) of the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 (No. 14 of 1996), hereby make the following order with respect to which, pursuant to section 5(13) of that Act, a draft has been laid before each House of the Oireachtas and a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House:

1. This Order may be cited as the Dumping At Sea Act 1996 (Section 5(12)) (Commencement) Order 2021.

2. The 1^st day of April 2021 is appointed as the day on which section 5 of the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 shall come into operation as respects offshore installations.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Government,

2 March, 2021.

MICHEÁL MARTIN,

Taoiseach.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order appoints 1st April 2021 as the date on which section 5 of the Dumping at Sea Act 1996 shall come into operation with respect to offshore installations.

This will enable the Environmental Protection Agency to grant, or refuse to grant, a permit authorising the dumping of an offshore installation, or a specified quantity of a specified substance or material from an offshore installation, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Any such permit shall contain such conditions as the Agency deems appropriate and may be revoked or amended.