(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4) and (7), the Minister may, by order, declare that such body as is specified in the order shall be recognised for the purposes of this Act, and a body standing so recognised for the time being shall be known as the Mediation Council of Ireland (in this Act referred to as the "Council").

(2) Not more than one body shall stand recognised under this section for the time being.

(3) Before making an order under subsection (1), the Minister shall -

(a) publish a notice on the website of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and in at least one daily newspaper circulating generally in the State -

(i) indicating that he or she intends to make an order under subsection (1),

(ii) indicating that a draft of the order is available for inspection on that website for a period specified in the notice (being not less than 30 days from the date of the publication of the notice in the newspaper), and

(iii) stating that submissions in relation to the draft order may be made in writing to the Minister before a date specified in the notice (which shall be not less than 30 days after the end of the period referred to in subparagraph (ii)),

and

(b) have regard to any submissions received pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii).