(1) The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission may, or if requested to do so by the Minister shall, prepare for submission to the Minister a draft code of practice for the purposes of providing practical guidance as to the steps that may be taken for complying with one or more provisions of this Act other than Part IIA.

(2) Before submitting a draft code of practice under subsection (1) to the Minister, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission shall consult such other Minister of the Government or other person or body as the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission considers appropriate or as the Minister may direct.

(3) After a draft code of practice has been submitted under subsection (1), the Minister may by order declare that the draft -

(a) is an approved code of practice for the purposes of this Act, or

(b) as amended by the Minister after consultation with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, is an approved code of practice for the purposes of this Act,