Summary and Background Part 8: Enforcement Other enforcement officers Section 241: Marine licensing: Northern Ireland
640.This section allows the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland to appoint persons for the purpose of enforcing Part 4 of the Act (marine licensing). Such an enforcement officer may exercise enforcement powers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and in relation to any vessel, aircraft or marine installation within the UK marine licensing area other than the Scottish offshore region. If such an officer is investigating an offence suspected of being committed within their area of jurisdiction, they may use enforcement powers in Scotland and in the Scottish inshore region. However, the officer may only use these powers in the Scottish offshore region if in “domestic hot pursuit” (see explanation to section 236).
641.Enforcement officers appointed under this section do not have any powers to enforce Part 4 of the Act so far as relating to any oil and gas activities in Wales. In addition, they do not have any powers to enforce Part 4 of the Act so far as relating to the taking of installation abandonment measures (defined in subsection (10)), unless such measures are taken in Northern Ireland or the Northern Ireland inshore region.