16.—(1) (a) There shall be a person, who shall be appointed by the Minister, and who shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as “the appeals officer”, to consider and determine appeals under this Part.

(b) The appeals officer shall perform the functions conferred on him or her by this Act.

(2) The appeals officer shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions under this Act.

(3) The provisions of the Schedule shall have effect in relation to the appeals officer.