12.—(1) Where the holder of a carrier’s licence dies or becomes physically or legally incapable of carrying on or managing the business to which the licence relates, or where a person designated in pursuance of regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972 , dies or becomes physically or legally incapable of carrying on or managing such business, the Minister may, notwithstanding anything in the Principal Act (as amended), if he is satisfied that it is necessary in order to avoid hardship, grant a permission under this section on an application being made to him in that behalf by or on behalf of such holder or person or the personal representative of such holder or person.

(2) A permission under this section shall authorise the business to which the permission relates to be carried on either by the person named therein or, as may be so specified, by such person subject to its being managed by another person so named.

(3) (a) A permission under this section shall remain in force for a period not exceeding one year beginning on the date on which it is granted.

(b) A permission under this section may be renewed or extended by the Minister for a specified period on an application being made to the Minister by the person to whom the permission was granted, but shall not be renewed or extended under this paragraph so as to have effect at any time after the expiration of the period of eighteen months beginning on the day on which the permission was granted.