The Legislative Council could be asked to make a decision on whether or not to grant permission for an offshore wind farm in Manx waters.
Chief Minister Alf Cannan outlined a scenario where ministers or potential future ministers may have conflicted themselves, requiring another body to be asked to make a ruling.
Under the Marine Infrastructure Management Act, only the council of Ministers can act as the statutory decision-makers for major marine projects.
However, that means ministers are not allowed to publicly voice a position on the issue before a decision is made.
External Body
Speaking on Manx Radio’s Perspective, the Chief Minister outlined that with next year’s general election likely to fall before a final decision is made, this could create difficulties.
Mr Cannan also said he fully understands that people will be frustrated by ministers being unable to speak on the issue.
He said: “I suspect there will be certainly an element of frustration, if people are asking for views from politicians, particularly from ministers at the current point about, do they think it’s right? Do they think it’s wrong?”
He added that with the public likely to demand answers from MHKs and candidates it is possible that a decision could “actually be delegated out to the Legislative Council, or primarily members of the Legislative Council, because during an election campaign, 24 of the MHKs had somehow conflicted themselves”.
The Chief said not doing so could risk further legal challenges, adding “that is the law as it currently stands” and admitted he didn’t know how the process could play out.
You can hear this part of his exchange with Manx Radio’s Phil Gawne below or the whole show here.
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