4.—(1) The Commission shall keep the law under review and in accordance with the provisions of this Act shall undertake examinations and conduct research with a view to reforming the law and formulate proposals for law reform.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Commission shall—

(a) in consultation with the Attorney General, from time to time prepare for submission by the Taoiseach to the Government programmes for the examination of different branches of the law with a view to their reform, and such programmes may recommend the agency (including the Commission or another body) by which such examination should be made and by which proposals for the reform of a branch of the law with which the examination is concerned should be formulated,

(b) pursuant to a recommendation contained in a programme approved of under section 5 of this Act, undertake an examination of and conduct research in relation to any branch of the law and, if the Commission thinks fit, formulate and submit to the Taoiseach proposals for its reform,

(c) at the request of the Attorney General, undertake an examination of and conduct research in relation to any particular branch or matter of law whether or not such branch or matter is included in a programme approved of under the said section 5 and, if so requested, formulate and submit to the Attorney General proposals for its reform.

(3) Where in the performance of its functions it considers it appropriate so to do, the Commission may—

(a) receive and consider for inclusion in a programme being prepared by it, proposals for law reform,

(b) examine and conduct such research in relation to the legal systems of countries other than the State as appears to the Commission likely to facilitate the performance of its functions,

(c) prepare, or cause to be prepared, and include in its proposals for law reform, draft Bills,

(d) consult, on any particular matter which the Commission considers relevant, persons qualified to give opinions thereon,

(e) establish working parties or advisory committees,

(f) publish preliminary working papers prior to formulating any proposal for law reform,

(g) indicate the desirability, priority, scope and extent of any proposals for law reform.