A member state which has nominated a judicial authority as its competent authority will refuse to send requests to, or accept requests from, the Garda Commissioner. It is for this reason that the Minister must be designated as a competent authority for the purposes of the Bill. In practice, this does not mean that the Minister will be involved in the setting up and operation of joint teams, which would be the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. Providing for the Minister as a competent authority merely facilities the transmission and receipt of requests to and from those member states which do not have provision in domestic legislation to permit direct transmission of requests within judicial authorities and the police forces of a foreign state.