41.—(1) The Minister may give a direction in writing to the Authority in relation to any of the functions assigned to it by or under this Act and the Authority shall comply with the direction.

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

(3) (a) The Minister may give policy, financial or other guidelines to the Authority in relation to the performance of the functions assigned to it by or under this Act and the Authority shall have regard to such guidelines when performing its functions.

(b) The Minister shall not give financial guidelines to the Authority under paragraph (a) save with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

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