(a) The Regulatory Authority is required to prepare and provide the Minister with -
(i) an annual report, and
(ii) from time to time, such other reports,
relating to the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers as the Minister may from time to time specify.
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving a copy of the Regulatory Authority's annual report, the Minister shall arrange for a copy of that report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) The Regulatory Authority may not provide information in a report under subsection (1) relating to a matter if to do so would contravene a provision of a law of the State or would be inconsistent with the Rome Treaty or the ESCB Statute. However, this subsection does not prevent that Authority from including confidential information in such a report if the information -
(a) is included with the consent of the person who provided the information, or
(b) relates to a Director, a member of the Regulatory Authorit