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c.

[] ELIZABETH II

Model Northern
Ireland Assembly

BILL 19

BILL
TO

Establish a Mourne Mountain National Park; and to establish a National Parks


Commission (Northern Ireland) to administer national parks in Northern Ireland.

B E IT ENACTED by being passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly and


assented to by Her Majesty as follows:

Definitions
1.(i) National park is defined as an area of outstanding landscape where
habitation and commercial activities are restricted, as defined in the National
Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
(ii) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area which has been
designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value, as
administered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, as defined in the
Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
(S.I. 1985/170).
(iii) The Mourne Mountains are defined as the area currently designated as
the Mourne Mountains Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
(iv) Expert is defined as somebody with extensive knowledge and
experience in the fields of environmental science and conservation.
(v) Non-departmental public body is defined as a largely independent non-
governmental organisation, not an integral part of any government department.

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c. [] Mourne Mountains National Park Act (Northern Ireland) 2017

Establishment of a National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland)


2.(i) A National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) is to be established,
for the maintenance and administration of national parks in Northern Ireland, as
a non-departmental public body.
(ii) The National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) is to be responsible for
the maintenance, protection and improvement of lands defined as national parks
within Northern Ireland.
(iii) The Department of the Environment is to give the National Parks
Commission (Northern Ireland) 3,000,000 per annum for administrative and
general costs.
(iv) The National Parks Commission is to
(a) conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural
heritage of national parks in Northern Ireland,
(b) promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of the park's
special qualities by the public, and
(c) seek to foster the economic and social well-being of communities
within national parks.

Chairman of the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland)


3.(i) The chairman of the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) is
to be appointed by the Northern Ireland Executive, and is to be accountable to the
Northern Ireland Executive.
(ii) The chairman of the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) may
be removed and replaced at any time by the Northern Ireland Executive.
(iii) The position of chairman of the National Parks Commission may not be
vacant for a period of more than 21 days.
(iv) The chairman of the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) must
be
(a) a resident of Northern Ireland, and
(b) a citizen of the United Kingdom.
(v) The chairman of the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) may
not be
(a) a current member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly,
(b) a former member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly,
(c) the leader, deputy leader or chariman of any legally registered
political party, or
(d) incarcerated at the time of appointment.

Mourne Mountains National Park


4.(i) The region currently defined as the Mourne Mountains Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty is to be defined as a national park.
(ii) The Mourne Mountains National Park is to be administered by the
National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland).
(iii) Residents of the Mourne Mountains National Park must secure planning

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c. [] Mourne Mountains National Park Act (Northern Ireland) 2017

permission from both the National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) and
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council if they wish to make any of the
following changes to their place of habitation
(a) the erection of an antenna or satellite dish,
(b) the creation of a porch,
(c) any extension which will change the size or shape of the place of
habitation.
(iv) The National Parks Commission (Northern Ireland) may establish rules
pertaining to the Mourne Mountains National Park which include, but are not
limited to, the following issues
(a) recreational camping,
(b) vehicle operation,
(c) pets and animals,
(d) the use of fireworks, or
(e) the creation of new buildings within the Mourne Mountains National
Park.

Extension, commencement and short title


5.(i) This Act extends to the entirety of Northern Ireland.
(ii) This Act shall come into effect no more than one month after its passing.
(iii) This Act shall be cited as the Mourne Mountains National Park Act
(Northern Ireland) 2017.

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