16.— (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Council shall, not later than 3 months after the end of each financial year or such further period, not exceeding 3 months, as the Minister permits, submit to the Minister a report (in this section referred to as the “annual report”) of the activities of the Council in the immediately preceding financial year.

(2) The Minister may specify, by direction in writing to the Council, any information which is required to be included in the annual report.

(3) The Council shall comply with a direction given to it under subsection (2).

(4) The Minister shall ensure that copies of the annual report are laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after the report is received by the Minister.