41.— (1) The Garda Commissioner shall keep the Minister and the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform fully informed of the following:

(a) matters relating to significant developments concerning—

(i) the preservation of peace and public order in the State,

(ii) the protection of life and property in the State, and

(iii) the protection of the security of the State;

(b) significant developments that might reasonably be expected to affect adversely public confidence in the Garda Síochána;

(c) matters relevant to the accountability of the Government to the Houses of the Oireachtas;

(d) any other matters that, in the Commissioner’s opinion, should be brought to the Minister’s attention.

(2) Whenever required by the Minister, the Garda Commissioner shall submit to the Minister a report on any matters connected with the policing or security of the State or the performance of the Commissioner’s other functions that may be specified in the requirement.

(3) A report under subsection (2) must—

(a) address matters of general or specific concern that are specified in the Minister’s requirement, and

(b) be made in the form and within the period specified in the requirement.

F84[(3A) If and insofar as a report under subsection (2) relates to matters concerning policing services, the Minister shall inform the Authority of those matters.]

(4) The Minister may publish all or part of a report submitted under this section.