(1) The chairperson shall be appointed by the Minister from among persons in respect of whom a recommendation has been made under subsection (2).

(2) The Minister shall request the Public Appointments Service to assess and select suitable candidates for appointment as the chairperson in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and, following such assessment and selection, to recommend individuals to the Minister for appointment.

(3) The Minister may, from time to time, specify requirements that he or she considers to be requirements that must be complied with by a candidate for appointment as chairperson; the Public Appointments Service, in performing its functions under subsection (2), shall satisfy itself that those requirements are complied with by a candidate.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3), the requirements that may be specified by the Minister under that subsection include -

(a) the minimum period of practical experience, or type of practical experience, required of a candidate,

(b) the academic or professional qualifications to be possessed by a candidate, and

(c) subject to the Employment Equality Act 1998, the health and age of a candidate.