45.—Proceedings under section 38 of this Act, proceedings of or communications to or by the Council pursuant to sections 39, 40, 41 or 42 of this Act, reports made by the Fitness to Practise Committee to the Council under this Part of this Act and any other communications between the Committee and the Council made in the exercise or performance of the powers, duties or functions of the Committee or the Council, as the case may be, shall in any action for defamation, be absolutely privileged.