176.— (1) For the purposes of this Act—

(a) the Director of the Insolvency Service may appoint such members of the staff of the Insolvency Service as he or she deems appropriate to be inspectors for such period and subject to such terms as the Director may determine,

(b) the Director of the Insolvency Service may appoint such other persons as he or she deems appropriate to be inspectors for such period and subject to such terms (including terms as to remuneration and allowances for expenses) as the Director, with the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may determine.

(2) Each inspector shall be given a warrant of appointment and, when performing any function imposed under this Act, shall, on request by any person affected, produce the warrant or a copy thereof, together with a form of personal identification.