43.— (1) The principal functions of the Authority are—

(a) to secure efficient and effective enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law,

(b) to promote compliance with and deter contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law,

(c) to detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law,

(d) to provide information to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors on sea-fisheries law and food safety law and relevant matters within the remit of the Authority, through the Consultative Committee established under section 48 or by any other means it considers appropriate,

(e) to advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food safety law: the Minister shall consider any such advice for the purposes of Chapter 2,

(f) to provide assistance and information to the Minister in relation to the remit of the Authority,

(g) to collect and report data in relation to sea-fisheries and food safety as required by the Minister and under Community law,

(h) to represent or assist in the representation of the State at national, Community and international fora as requested by the Minister, and

(i) to engage in any other activities relating to the functions of the Authority as may be approved of by the Minister.

(2) The Authority, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may—

(a) for the purpose of carrying out its functions under subsection (1) make arrangements with or enter into agreements including Service Level Agreements or contracts with the Minister for Defence or, with the consent of the Minister for Defence, the Naval Service and the Air Corps of the Permanent Defence Forces, in respect of those functions for which they were responsible immediately before the establishment day or other functions of the Authority as may be appropriate,

(b) enter into agreements or make arrangements with any other Minister of the Government, or any other person, for that other Minister or person to perform on behalf of the Authority (with or without payment) any of its functions,

(c) enter into agreements or make arrangements with any other Minister of the Government or the Food Safety Authority of Ireland for the Authority to perform on behalf of that Minister or that other Authority (with or without payment) such functions as may appropriately be performed by it in connection with its functions under this Chapter.