(1) There shall be a chief executive officer of the Authority who shall be known and is referred to in this Act as the "chief executive".

(2) The chief executive shall, subject to subsection (3) be appointed by the Board, with the consent of the Minister.

(3) Where a competition to appoint a chief executive officer of the Authority is held prior to the establishment day the successful candidate may be appointed by the Minister as the chief executive designate of the Authority.

(4) A person shall not be appointed as chief executive officer of the Authority unless the Public Appointments Service, after holding a competition on behalf of the Minister or the Authority, have selected him or her for appointment as chief executive officer of the Authority.