62C. (1) Subject to this section, the Authority shall comprise 9 members who are to be appointed by the Government:

(a) a chairperson;

(b) 8 ordinary members.

(2) In appointing the members of the Authority, the Government shall have regard to the objective of there being no fewer than 4 members who are women and no fewer than 4 members who are men.

(3) The Government may, before the establishment day of the Authority, designate a person to be appointed as the first chairperson of the Authority.

(4) If, immediately before the establishment day of the Authority, a person stands designated under subsection (3), the person shall, on that day, stand appointed as the first chairperson of the Authority.

(5) The Government may, before the establishment day of the Authority, designate persons to be appointed as the first ordinary members of the Authority.

(6) If, immediately before the establishment day of the Authority, a person stands designated under subsection (5), the person shall, on that day, stand appointed as an ordinary member of the Authority.

(7) Except for the first appointed members of the Authority and subject to section 62E(5), a person shall not be appointed as a member of the Authority unless a resolution has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas recommending his or her appointment.

(8) Except for the first appointed ordinary members of the Authority and subject to section 62E(5), the Government shall appoint the ordinary members of the Authority from among such persons as are recommended by the Service in accordance with section 62D for appointment as such ordinary members.]