22.—F33[(1) The Garda Commissioner shall each year prepare a policing plan setting out the proposed arrangements for policing services for the following year.]

(2) In preparing a policing plan, the Garda Commissioner shall have regard to the following:

(a) the priorities determined and performance targets established under section 20;

(b) the strategy statement in operation under section 21 during the year to which the plan relates;

(c) relevant directives issued under section 25;

(d) the resources expected to be available to the Garda Síochána for that year and the proposed allocation of those resources;

(e) relevant F33[Government policy;]

F34[(f) the policing principles.]

(3) In preparing the policing plan, the Garda Commissioner may have regard to the most recent report of each joint policing committee.

(4) Before the month of November in each year, the Garda Commissioner shall submit to F35[the Authority] for approval a draft of the policing plan for the following year.

(5) F35[The Authority shall, with the consent of the Minister, approve] the policing plan—

(a) in the form of the draft submitted, or

F35[(b) with such amendments as the Authority with the consent of the Minister, after consulting with the Garda Commissioner, may determine.]

F35[(6) As soon as practicable after the approval of the policing plan under subsection (5), the Authority shall send a copy of the approved policing plan to the Minister and the Minister shall cause a copy of it to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as practicable after he or she receives it.]