22A.—(1) Where a regional assembly intends to make a regional spatial and economic strategy in accordance with section 24, or to review an existing strategy under section 26, it shall, as soon as may be, consult with—

(a) each public body, and

(b) any body or bodies under the aegis of a public body in respect of which, in the opinion of the regional assembly, consultation with is of relevance for the purpose of making the regional spatial and economic strategy or reviewing an existing strategy.

(2) The public body shall assist and co-operate as far as practicable with the regional assembly in the preparation of the strategy and thereafter supporting its implementation.

(3) Each public body shall consult with the regional assemblies, as appropriate, when preparing its own strategies, plans and programmes and so as to ensure that they are consistent, as far as practicable, with national and regional objectives set out in the F168[National Planning Framework] and regional spatial and economic strategies.

(4) Where the Minister is of the opinion that consultation between a regional assembly and a body under the aegis of a public body would be of relevance—

(a) for the purpose of making, by the regional assembly, of the regional spatial and economic strategy or reviewing an existing strategy, or

(b) for the purpose of subsection (3), were the body a public body,

then the Minister may so declare such body to be a public body for the purposes of consultation under this section and regulations may be made either generally or in respect of one or more than one regional assembly.

(5) In this section "public body" means—

(a) the Minister,

(b) the Minister for Finance,

(c) the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform,

(d) the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation,

(e) the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,

(f) the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine,

(g) the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport,

(h) the Minister for Health,

(i) the Minister for Education and Skills,

(j) the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,

(k) a body under the aegis of a public body (including a public body pursuant to this paragraph) to which subsection (4) relates.]