15.—(1) The Minister may give a direction in writing to a road authority in relation to any of the functions assigned to it by or under any enactment (including this Act) relating to the maintenance or construction of public roads and the road authority shall comply with such direction.

(2) The Minister shall lay a copy of any direction given by him under subsection (1) before each House of the Oireachtas.

(3) The Minister may give policy or other guidelines to road authorities in relation to any of the functions assigned to them by or under any enactment (including this Act) relating to the maintenance or construction of public roads and the authorities shall have regard to the guidelines when performing such functions.

(4) The Minister shall lay a copy of any guidelines given by him under subsection (3) before each House of the Oireachtas.