56. (1) Without prejudice to section 57(5), the Commission may, as it considers appropriate for the purpose of assisting it in the performance of its functions under this Part in so far as those functions relate to judicial offices in the State, consult with the President of the High Court, the President of the Circuit Court and the President of the District Court.

(2) The Commission may request submissions or observations, within such period as is specified in the request, from any person that it considers appropriate for the purpose of assisting it in the performance of its functions under this Part.

(3) The Commission shall, in the performance of its functions under this Part, consider the outcome of any consultation under subsection (1) and any submissions or observations received by it under subsection (2) within the period specified in the request referred to in that subsection which are relevant to the function concerned.

(4) The Commission shall, for the purpose of sections 39(2)(c) and 58(2)(a)(vi), consult with—

(a) the Courts Service about the needs of users of the courts with respect to proceedings being conducted in the Irish language and may, from time to time, request the Courts Service to produce a report about those needs, and

(b) the President of the High Court, the President of the Circuit Court or the President of the District Court, as the case may be, about the needs of users of the court of the President concerned in respect to proceedings being conducted in the Irish language in that court.

(5) The Courts Service shall comply with a request under subsection (4)(a).