31Z.—(1) For the purpose of supporting the Planning Regulator and the Office in carrying out functions under this Part, the Planning Regulator—

(a) may appoint up to 3 persons but shall appoint at least one person,

(b) subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may appoint such number of additional persons as may be specified,

each to be a director of the Office (in this section referred to as ‘director’) to perform such functions as are duly assigned to each of them.

(2) A director shall be a member of staff of the Office.

(3) The Planning Regulator shall designate one director to be deputy Planning Regulator. The deputy Planning Regulator shall perform and carry out the functions of the Planning Regulator in the absence of the Planning Regulator or when there is no Planning Regulator and references to the Planning Regulator shall be read accordingly.

(4) A director, on ceasing to be a member of the staff of the Office, shall be deemed to have vacated the position of director.]