The Department may give directions of a general or specific nature to the Board as to the carrying out by the Board of any of its functions.

Before giving any directions to the Board under paragraph (1) the Department shall consult the Board.

It shall be the duty of the Board to comply with any directions given to it under paragraph (1).

Any directions given to the Board by the Department under paragraph (1) may be varied or revoked by any subsequent directions so given.