S.I. No. 20/1988:

THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH UNIT (ESTABLISHMENT) ORDER, 1988.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH UNIT (ESTABLISHMENT) ORDER, 1988.

The Minister for the Environment in exercise of the powers conferred on him by ( section 3 of the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971 ), (No. 6 of 1971) hereby orders as follows:--

1. This Order may be cited as the Environmental Research Unit (Establishment) Order, 1988.

2. In this Order

'Local authority' means the council of a county, the corporation of a county or other borough, and the council of an urban district;

'the Minister' means the Minister for the Environment.

3. (1) The Environmental Research Unit (in this Order referred to as the unit) is hereby established to provide for the Minister and local authorities such research, analytical, monitoring, advisory or other services in relation to environmental or infrastructural matters as the Minister may, from time to time, direct and in such manner as he may direct.

(2) The business of the unit shall be conducted by a management committee appointed by the Minister and consisting of not more than five persons each of whom shall be an officer of the Minister who is an established civil servant for the purposes of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956 , (No. 46 of 1956).

4. (1) The Minister may pay to the unit in each year out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as the Minister, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, may fix.

(2) The Minister may give to the unit such directions as he considers appropriate in relation to the keeping and auditing of accounts and the finances generally of the unit.

(3) The expenses of the unit, in so far as not met from other sources shall, to such extent as shall be directed by the Minister, be recouped by such local authorities, and in such proportions, as may be determined by the Minister and, in default of payment of an amount so to be recouped the amount may be deducted from any monies payable to the relevant local authority by any Minister for any purpose whatsoever and shall be paid to the unit by the Minister concerned.

5. (1) Such number and classes of persons shall be employees of the unit as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determines.

(2) An employee of the unit shall hold his employment on such terms and conditions (including terms relating to remuneration, allowances and, where appropriate, superannuation) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, from time to time determines.

(3) The unit may from time to time engage such consultants or advisers as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.

6. For the purpose of the performance of its functions, the unit may:

(a) with the consent of the Minister, purchase or take on lease any land and may sell, exchange, let or otherwise dispose of any land vested in it,

(b) make arrangements with the Minister or any other person or body for the use of premises or equipment belonging to the Minister or that person or body or for the use of the services of officers and servants of the Minister or that person or body,

(c) with the consent of the Minister, accept gifts of money, land and other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donor.

7. The unit shall provide itself with a seal which shall be authenticated by the signature of a member of the management committee of the unit authorised to act in that behalf.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for the

Environment this 10th day of February, 1988.

PADRAIG FLYNN,

Minister for the Environment.

The Minister for Finance hereby agrees to the establishment by the above Order of the Environmental Research Unit.

Given under the Official Seal of the Minister for Finance

this 10th day of February, 1988.

RAY MACSHARRY,

Minister for Finance.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order establishes the Environmental Research Unit to provide for the Minister for the Environment and local authorities such research, analytical, monitoring, advisory or other services in relation to environmental or infrastructural matters as the Minister may direct from time to time. The Order provides for the appointment of a Management Committee to conduct the business of the Unit and for procedural, staffing and other related matters.