13.—(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, give such general policy directions in writing to the Commission in relation to its functions as he or she considers appropriate.

(2) The Commission shall comply with any direction given under subsection (1).

(3) The Minister shall not give directions under subsection (1) in relation to any particular case with which the Commission is or may be concerned.

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

(5) The Minister may give policy or other guidelines to the Commission in relation to its functions as he or she considers appropriate and the Commission shall have regard to the guidelines when performing such functions.

(6) The Minister shall lay a copy of any guidelines given by him or her under subsection (5) before each House of the Oireachtas.