97. The Act of 2001 is amended by the insertion of the following sections after section 27:

“Commission to prepare statement of strategy

27A. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commission shall—

(a) as soon as is practicable after the commencement of section 97 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 2022 but, in any case, not later than 6 months after that commencement, and

(b) thereafter, not earlier than 6 months before and not later than 6 months later than each subsequent period of 3 years following the laying before each House of the Oireachtas in accordance with subsection (4) of the statement of strategy,

prepare and submit to the Minister for the Minister’s approval a statement of strategy for the Commission for the ensuing period of 3 years.

(2) A statement of strategy shall—

(a) comply with any directions issued from time to time by the Minister in respect of the form and manner of the statement’s preparation,

(b) set out the key objectives, outputs and related strategies of the Commission for performing its functions under this Act during the period to which the statement relates, including the use of resources,

(c) have regard to the need to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the Commission’s resources,

(d) identify the relevant performance indicators (financial and non-financial) and specify the manner in which the Commission proposes to assess its performance in respect of the objectives, outputs and strategies referred to in paragraph (b),

(e) except for the first statement of strategy, include a review of the outcomes and effectiveness of the preceding statement of strategy, and

(f) include any other matters that the Minister may from time to time direct.

(3) When preparing the statement of strategy, the Commission may consult with any persons it considers appropriate.

(4) The Minister shall, as soon as is practicable after a statement of strategy has been submitted to him or her in accordance with subsection (1) and he or she has approved it, cause a copy of the statement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(5) The Commission shall, as soon as practicable after the statement of strategy has been laid before each House of the Oireachtas, arrange for the statement to be published on the internet.

Business plan

27B. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Commission shall, in each year—

(a) prepare and adopt a business plan in respect of that year or of such other period as may be determined by the Minister, and

(b) submit the plan to the Minister.

(2) A business plan shall—

(a) indicate the activities of the Commission for the period to which the business plan relates,

(b) contain estimates of the number of—

(i) employees of the Commission, and

(ii) staff members of the Commission who are not employees of the Commission,

for the period and the business to which the plan relates, and

(c) accord with policies and objectives of the Minister and the Government as they relate to the functions of the Commission.

(3) The Commission shall, in preparing the business plan, have regard to the statement of strategy in operation at that time as approved under section 27A.”.