324.—(1) The Minister may, prior to—

(a) the commencement of a process for the selection of a person for appointment under section 12, or

(b) the holding of a competition in any other case, as the case may be,

consult with the External Oversight Body regarding the selection criteria and recruitment process applicable in respect of—

(i) an appointment under section 12,

(ii) a promotion under section 45 to the rank of Brigadier-General,

(iii) an appointment of a civil servant (within the meaning of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956) to work directly with the Defence Forces, or

(iv) the employment of a civilian under section 30(1)(g).

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) a reference to a civil servant means a civil servant not below the rank of principal officer, and

(b) a reference to a civilian means a civilian holding a position with a salary no lower than the first point of the salary scale of a person holding the rank of principal officer in the civil service.]