83.—(1) It shall be the general function of the Council to consider issues relevant to railway safety and to make recommendations, as appropriate, to the Commission or to the Minister.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Council may make recommendations—

(a) to the Commission in relation to—

(i) regulations, standards, guidelines and codes of practice that are in force in relation to railway safety,

(ii) proposals for regulations, standards, guidelines or codes of practice in relation to railway safety submitted by the Commission to the Council for consideration,

(iii) other matters relating to railway safety other than matters relating to industrial relations, and

(iv) any other matters related to the functions of the Commission or which the Commission submits to the Council for consideration,

(b) to the Minister in relation to—

(i) railway safety policy,

(ii) the adequacy of railway safety legislation which is in force,

(iii) proposals for legislation or regulations in relation to railway safety submitted by the Minister to the Council for consideration,

(iv) the assignment of specific functions relating to railway safety to the Commission,

(v) the nature and mix of expertise, skills and experience that is desirable in a candidate for appointment as a commissioner, and

(vi) any other matter which, in the opinion of the Council, is relevant to the effective performance by the Council or by the Commission of its functions or which the Minister submits to the Council for consideration.

(3) The Commission or the Minister, as appropriate, shall consider the recommendations of the Council given under this section.

(4) The Council may publish recommendations given under this section.

(5) The Commission may consult the Council on any matter relating to railway safety or to the effective performance by the Commission of its functions.

(6) The Minister may consult the Council on any matter arising in relation to his or her functions with respect to railway safety.

(7) The Council shall be entitled to be informed at its meetings, by the commissioner or deputy member of the Commission who stands appointed to the Council or a person appointed by him or her for the purpose, about the work of the Commission but not in relation to the detail of particular F111[safety management document]s, assessments, audits or investigations where a report has not been published.