proposal and the possible effects which the proposal may have on the finances, commercial interests and other resources and functioning of the Agency. (3) After receipt of the views of the Board submitted in terms of subsection (2), the Minister may confirm, alter or withdraw any proposed direction to the Board and, where the Minister has confirmed a direction, whether altered or not, the Board shall forthwith comply with the direction. (4) When any direction has been received by the Board in terms of this section, the Board shall set out in its annual report the direction received by it, the views expressed by it in terms of subsection (2), and the final direction given to it in terms of subsection (3). (5) If the Board fails to carry out any duty imposed upon it by or under this Act or any other law, the Minister may direct the Board to take such action as he considers necessary to rectify the matter within such time as he may specify: Provided that before doing so, the Minister shall give the Board an opportunity to make any representations it may wish to make in the matter. (6) If the Board fails to take action in accordance with a direction in terms of subsection (2) within the time specified by the Minister, the Minister may take appropriate action on behalf of the Board to rectify the matter. (7) The Board shall, in its report referred to in section twenty-four, set out the nature and substance of every direction given to it in terms of subsection (1) and (2), together with any comments the Board may wish to make regarding the direction. 24 Reports of Board (1) As soon as possible after the end of each year, the Board shall submit to the Minister an annual report on matters dealt with by the Board during that year. (2) At any time the Board may submit to the Minister a special report on any matter on which the Board considers it desirable to report. (3) The Minister shall lay before Parliament, on one of the fourteen days on which Parliament next sits after the report is received by him— (a) the annual report submitted to him in terms of subsection (1); and (b) any special report submitted to him in terms of subsection (2) which the Board has requested be laid before Parliament. 25 Board to have access to all Ministers In carrying out its functions, the Board, through its chairman, shall have direct access to every Minister and shall keep the Minister responsible for the environment informed of these meetings. 26 Board to consult experts on technical questions When any matter arises which entails the consideration of any professional or technical question, the Board shall consult such persons as, in the Board’s opinion, are qualified to advise on the question. 27 Hearings by Board (1) The Board may and, if directed to do so by the Minister, shall hold a hearing into any matter, which under this Act or any other enactment, it is required or permitted to consider or on which it is required or permitted to take any action. 21