10G.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section the Commission may prepare and publish guidelines for the purpose of providing practical guidance to parliamentary leaders of qualifying parties, independent members and personal representatives relating to the application and operation of sections 10 to 10D.

(2) Where the Commission proposes to publish guidelines it shall—

(a) publish in such manner as it considers appropriate a draft of the guidelines and give persons 28 days from the date of publication of the draft guidelines within which to make written representations to it in relation to the draft guidelines, or such further period, not exceeding 28 days, as it in its absolute discretion thinks fit, and

(b) consult with parliamentary leaders of qualifying parties and independent members.

(3) The Commission may, following consideration of representations, if any, received by it under subsection (2) (a) and consultations carried out under subsection (2) (b), amend the draft guidelines.

(4) Before publishing guidelines the Commission shall submit the draft guidelines, referred to in subsection (3), to the Minister for his or her approval.

(5) Where draft guidelines are submitted to the Minister for his or her approval, the Minister shall, as he or she may think proper, refuse to approve of the guidelines or approve thereof without modifications or make such modifications thereto as he or she may think proper and approve of the guidelines as so modified and the Commission shall, accordingly, not publish the guidelines or, as the case may be, publish them in the terms as so approved of.

(6) Where the Commission publishes guidelines, it shall publish a notice of such publication in Iris Oifigiúil and the notice shall—

(a) identify the guidelines,

(b) specify the matters relating to the statements in respect of which the guidelines are published, and

(c) specify the date on which the guidelines come into operation.

(7) The Commission may, with the consent of the Minister, and following consultation with any other person or body that the Commission considers appropriate or that the Minister directs, amend, revoke or withdraw approval of any guidelines, or part thereof, prepared and published by it under this section.

(8) Where the Commission amends, revokes or withdraws approval of guidelines, or part thereof, published under this section, it shall publish notice of the amendment, revocation or withdrawal of approval, as the case may be, in Iris Oifigiúil.

(9) The Commission shall, as soon as practicable after it publishes guidelines or amended guidelines—

(a) furnish a copy of the guidelines, or the guidelines so amended, to every parliamentary leader of a qualifying party and independent member, and

(b) make a copy of the guidelines, or the guidelines so amended, available for public inspection, without charge, at its principal office during normal working hours and on the Commission’s website.

(10) The Commission in performing its functions under section 10D shall have regard to the guidelines.]