Cap. 600 ст. 8Functions of the Authority.    Cap. 497.

(1) Subject to the provisions of articles 4 to 7, both inclusive, the functions of the Authority shall be:

(a) to consult with the Government, the private sector, constituted bodies and non-governmental organisations, and private citizens in connection with any work which it intends to carry out with regard to the design of a regional development strategy for Gozo, subsequent to which a report relating to such consultation process is to be presented to the Minister for approval, with or without amendments, or otherwise;

(b) to give its recommendations regarding the setting up of the Standing Committee on Gozo Affairs and regarding discussions which are to be suggested to the Committee once this is set up;

(c) to own and steward the implementation of the regional development strategy for Gozo once this is approved by the Minister;

(d) to draw up performance agreements, as established in Schedule I, with government departments or entities under the responsibility of the Ministry which are assigned responsibility for the implementation of measures and actions identified in the regional development strategy for Gozo;

(e) establish a Working Committee, as well as sub-committees, as it may deem appropriate, with government entities in order to achieve an ongoing functional relationship with such government entities and to ensure that any decisions required for the implementation of the regional development strategy for Gozo are taken without undue delay;

(f) to ensure that a regional impact assessment, as established in Schedule II, is carried out when government ministries intend presenting to Cabinet -

(i) a national strategy;

(ii) a national policy;

(iii) a national action plan;

(iv) major new projects or services; and

(v) regulatory and legislative provisions, which affects or affect, as the case may be, Gozo in order to achieve an improved joined-up national strategy and policy design, planning and implementation with the regional development strategy for Gozo;

(g) to monitor the implementation process of the actions and measures under the regional development strategy for Gozo and take actions within parameters of responsibility assigned or recommend action to the Minister to ensure smooth implementation of such measures and actions;

(h) to carry out surveillance as to how measures and actions under the regional development strategy for Gozo are being implemented and how they are performing once implemented;

(i) to carry out enforcement actions, where such authority is provided by the Minister under regulations made in accordance with article 43 to secure and ensure the effective performance of measures and actions under the regional development strategy for Gozo;

(j) to propose to the Minister policy matters with regard to the design and implementation of the regional development strategy for Gozo, and in particular to request the Government, through the Minister, to ring-fence certain central funds to be directed towards Gozo;

(k) to submit to the Minister a monthly formal report on the implementation of actions and measures under the regional development strategy for Gozo;

(l) to formally review the regional development strategy for Gozo every three years, which review is to be placed by the Ministry for Gozo on the Table of the House of Representatives once this is approved by the Minister; and

(m) to perform such other functions as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Minister within the parameters of the provisions of this Act.

(2) (a) In the case of failure, on the part of the government entity or entities concerned, to abide by the provisions of sub-regulation (1)(f) the Authority shall be entitled, after consultation with the Minister, to initiate the relative procedures itself for the carrying out of the regional impact assessment mentioned therein.

(b) For the purposes of this Act, the expression

"government entities" shall have the meaning referred to it in article 3

of the Public Administration Act.

(3) It shall in particular be the duty of the Authority to exercise such regulatory functions in the fields pertaining to it, as may from time to time be assigned to the Authority by or under an Act of Parliament.

(4) The Authority shall also, in accordance with the laws it is entitled to regulate, monitor and keep under review all practices, operations and activities relating to any matter regulated by or under this Act.

(5) It shall be the duty of the Authority to carry out its functions as established by or under this Act in an impartial and transparent and timely manner and to ensure compliance therewith, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, to ensure that persons providing any services, products, operations and activities in or from Gozo relating to any matter regulated by the Authority, comply with the provisions of this Act.

(6) The Authority may, in consultation with the Minister, issue such directives as it may consider to be necessary for the carrying into effect of or compliance with any of the provisions of this Act, or any decisions that the Authority may take in accordance with its functions under this Act, and it may amend or revoke such directives.

(7) Any directive issued by the Authority in accordance with sub-article (6) and any amendment or revocation thereof shall be in writing, state the reasons on which it is based and shall be notified to the person concerned. The Authority may also publish any such directive in such manner as it may consider appropriate in the circumstances due account being taken of the importance of the directive and its impact on the market.