17. (1) The competent authority (M) shall, for the purpose of marine spatial planning and the preparation of a MSP—

(a) comply, or ensure compliance, with the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6, and Articles 10, 11 and 12, of the MSP Directive,

(b) take account of circumstances particular to the marine region to which the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, done at Paris on 22 September 1992, applies, and

(c) have regard to the obligations of the State under the Convention and the Act of 2021.

(2) The Minister shall, not later than six years after the existing NMPF was first published, carry out a review thereof and, following the completion of the review, either—

(a) prepare and publish, in accordance with this Part and the MSP Directive, a MSP to replace the existing NMPF, or

(b) in circumstances where he or she decides not to prepare and publish such MSP, as soon as is practicable after making that decision, prepare a statement setting out the reasons why he or she has made that decision and publish the statement on a website of the Government.

(3) The Minister shall, not later than six years after a MSP (being a MSP for the time being in force) was first published, carry out a review thereof and, following the completion of the review, either—

(a) prepare and publish, in accordance with this Part and the MSP Directive, a new MSP to replace the first-mentioned MSP, or

(b) in circumstances where he or she decides not to prepare and publish such new MSP, as soon as is practicable after making that decision, prepare a statement setting out the reasons why he or she has made that decision and publish the statement on a website of the Government.