109I.— (1) The Minister shall appoint such and so many persons (in this Chapter referred to as an “adjudication officer”) as he or she considers necessary to perform the functions of an adjudication officer under this Act.

(2) The Minister shall not appoint a person to be an adjudication officer unless the person is, on the date of his or her appointment, a practising barrister or practising solicitor of not less than 10 years standing.

(3) The Minister shall appoint an adjudication officer to be the chief adjudication officer.

(4) An adjudication officer shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions.

(5) Subject to this Chapter, an adjudication officer shall–

(a) be appointed under this section upon such terms and conditions (including as to appointment, remuneration, reappointment and revocation of appointment) as may be determined by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and

(b) be paid, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for such purpose, such remuneration and allowances for expenses, as are specified by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.]