(1) If, on an application made under regulation 26, it appears that the requirements of the Schedule are satisfied with respect to the application, the Minister may, subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, approve a person (in these regulations referred to as an approved operator) to operate a relevant system.

(2) Approval of an operator under this regulation shall be by written instrument and may be subject to the fulfilment of conditions specified by the Minister to ensure compliance with these regulations and shall state the date on which it takes effect and may state the date on which it terminates.

(3) Approval under this regulation shall be without prejudice to the requirements of the Competition Act, 1991.

(4) Where the Minister refuses to approve an operator on the basis of an application made under regulation 26 the Minister shall so inform the applicant in writing stating the reasons for the refusal.