B. R esponsibilities of those receiving the advice The authority to advise imposes an obligation on the receiving entity to consider such advice in a meaningful way. The Sub-Committee on Accreditation has noted that this means that NHRI recommendations contained in annual, special or thematic human rights reports should normally be discussed within a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed six months, by the relevant government ministries as well as the competent parliamentary committees. These discussions should be held especially in order to determine the necessary follow-up action, as appropriate in any given situation.58 This process should be transparent, visible and consultative. The founding legislation may, for example, require the Government to present recommendations in parliament for debate along with its proposed response to a report or other document. Individual departments or ministries may be obliged to respond in writing, setting out what they are doing in response to the recommendations and explaining why a particular recommendation is not being followed. Governments should be aware that ignoring an institution’s recommendations may lead the general public and, where appropriate, international treaty bodies to question their willingness to promote human rights nationally. General observations, para. 1.6. 58 104