24.—(1) (a) The several ranks set out in column (2) of the Second Schedule to this Act shall be the commissioned army ranks in the Defence Forces.

(b) Any commissioned army rank set out in column (2) of the Second Schedule to this Act before any other commissioned army rank shall be higher than that other commissioned army rank.

(2) (a) The several ranks set out in column (3) of the Second Schedule, to this Act shall be the commissioned naval ranks in the Defence Forces.

(b) Any commissioned naval rank set out in column (3) of the Second Schedule to this Act before any other commissioned naval rank shall be higher than that other commissioned naval rank.

F24[(3) For the purposes of this Act—

(a) the commissioned army rank set out in column (2) of the Second Schedule to this Act at any reference number (being reference number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) shall be deemed to correspond to the commissioned naval rank set out in column (3) of the said Second Schedule at that reference number;

(b) the commissioned army rank set out in column (2) of the said Second Schedule at reference number 10 shall be deemed to correspond to each of the commissioned naval ranks set out in column (3) of the said Second Schedule at reference number 10;

(c) the commissioned naval rank set out in column (3) of the said Second Schedule at any reference number (being reference number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) shall be deemed to correspond to the commissioned army rank set out in column (2) of the said Second Schedule at that reference number;

(d) each of the commissioned naval ranks set out in column (3) of the said Second Schedule at reference number 10 shall be deemed to correspond to the commissioned army rank set out in column (2) of the said Second Schedule at reference number 10.]

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Minister may—

(a) direct that an officer who holds (whether by virtue of his appointment thereto or a direction given under paragraph (c) of this subsection) a particular commissioned army rank (not being that of second-lieutenant) shall, in lieu of that commissioned army rank, hold the corresponding commissioned naval rank,

(b) direct that an officer who holds (whether by virtue of his appointment thereto or a direction given under paragraph (d) of this subsection) the commissioned army rank of second-lieutenant shall, in lieu of that commissioned army rank, hold such one of the following commissioned naval ranks, namely, ensign and midshipman, as may be specified in the direction,

(c) direct that an officer who holds (whether by virtue of his appointment thereto or a direction given under paragraph (a) of this subsection) a particular commissioned naval rank (not being that of ensign or midshipman) shall, in lieu of that commissioned naval rank, hold the corresponding commissioned army rank,

(d) direct that an officer who holds (whether by virtue of his appointment thereto or a direction under paragraph (b) of this subsection) the commissioned naval rank of ensign or midshipman shall, in lieu of that commissioned naval rank, hold the commissioned army rank of second-lieutenant,

and any such direction shall have effect according to the tenor thereof.

(5) A direction shall not be given in respect of an officer under subsection (4) of this section except with his consent.