4.— (1) The Minister may, from time to time, as he or she considers appropriate, give general policy directions in writing to a housing authority in relation to the performance by the housing authority of any of its functions under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2009 and the housing authority shall comply with any such directions.

(2) The Minister may, by direction in writing, revoke or amend a direction under subsection (1), including a direction under this subsection.

(3) Whenever the Minister gives a direction under this section, he or she shall publish the direction or cause it to be published in the manner he or she considers appropriate.

(4) A housing authority shall make available for inspection by members of the public, without charge, on the Internet and at its offices and such other places as it considers appropriate, during normal working hours, a copy of any direction given to it under this section.