F26[17.—(1) The Council and the Health Service Executive shall designate one or more of its employees or officers, not below such rank as the Council after consulting with the Health Service Executive shall determine, to perform the following functions, namely to ensure, so far as practicable that—

(a) the activities of the Council and those of the Health Service Executive, in so far as they relate to their respective functions under this Act, are coordinated, and

(b) the policies of the Council and those of the Health Service Executive, in so far as they relate to their respective functions under this Act, are consistent.

(2) Each employee or officer designated under subsection (1) shall be known as a liaison officer.]