Directions by Minister
7.—(1)  The Minister may, after consultation with the Board, give such directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, to the Board as he thinks fit as to the exercise by the Board of its functions and powers.
(2)  Without prejudice to subsection (1), if it appears to the Minister to be requisite or expedient to do so —
(a)in the interests of relations with the government of another country; or
(b)in order —
(i)to discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government by virtue of it being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement;
(ii)to attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object the attainment of which is in the Minister’s opinion requisite or expedient in view of the Government being a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement; or
(iii)to enable the Government to become a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement,
he may, after consultation with the Board, give such directions to the Board as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(3)  The Board shall give effect to any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2).
(4)  The Board shall not disclose any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies the Board that he is of the opinion that disclosure of the direction is against the public interest.