53.— (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Garda Commissioner may, at the request of the Chief Constable—

(a) appoint a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to a rank in the Garda Síochána not above that of inspector for a period not exceeding 3 years, or

(b) request F101[the Authority] to appoint such a member to a rank in the Garda Síochána F102[ not above that of Assistant Garda Commissioner and] not below that of superintendent for such period.

F103[(2) Subject to subsection (3), the Authority may comply with a request under subsection (1)(b) but may do so only with the approval of the Government.]

(3) The ranks in the Garda Síochána to which such members may be appointed under this section and the number of such members to be so appointed may be prescribed.

(4) A person appointed under this section shall, during the appointment—

(a) be under the direction and control of the Garda Commissioner, and

(b) subject to subsection (5), have the powers, immunities, privileges and duties of a member of the Garda Síochána of the rank to which he or she was appointed.

(5) The F104[Garda Síochána (Compensation) Act 2022 does] not apply in relation to a person appointed under this section.

(6) The Garda Commissioner or F105[the Authority, with the approval of the Government,], as the case may be, may terminate an appointment under this section.

F106[(7) The Government may terminate an appointment approved by them under subsection (2).]