72. (1) The Advisory Committee established under Part 4 of the Act of 2003 continues in being to perform the functions assigned to it under this Part.

(2) The Advisory Committee shall consist of a chairperson and 17 ordinary members.

(3) (a) The Minister shall appoint a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has appropriate experience and expertise and is sufficiently independent from small public service vehicle operations and the Authority to be the chairperson of the Advisory Committee.

(b) An appointment under paragraph (a) shall be for such period not exceeding 3 years as may be specified by the Minister when appointing the person and shall be on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

(c) The chairperson shall chair the meetings of the Advisory Committee.

(d) In the event of the chairperson being unable to attend a meeting of the Advisory Committee, the members who are present shall choose one of their number to chair the meeting.

(e) In the event of the office of chairperson being vacant, the Minister shall designate one of the members of the Advisory Committee to chair its meetings until a chairperson is appointed.

(4) In addition to the chairperson appointed under subsection (3), the Advisory Committee shall comprise—

(a) at least 4 persons representing small public service vehicle and driver interests,

(b) at least one person representing local authorities,

(c) at least one person representing the Garda Síochána,

(d) at least 2 persons who in the opinion of the Minister represent the interests of consumers,

(e) at least one person from an organisation representing the interests of persons with disabilities,

(f) at least one person who in the opinion of the Minister represents the interests of business,

(g) at least one person from an organisation representing the interests of older persons,

(h) at least one person who in the opinion of the Minister represents the interests of tourism, and

(i) at least 4 other persons, who, in the opinion of the Minister, have a special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Authority, the Advisory Committee or related matters.

(5) An organisation or person may, at its own initiative or at the request of the Minister, nominate a person to be a member of the Advisory Committee and the Minister in making an appointment under subsection (6), shall have regard, in so far as is practicable, to any nominations received by him or her under this subsection.

(6) The Minister shall appoint persons to be ordinary members of the Advisory Committee in accordance with subsection (4). An appointment under this subsection shall be for such period not exceeding 3 years as may be specified by the Minister when appointing persons and shall be on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

(7) The chairperson and ordinary members of the Advisory Committee may be paid such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may determine, out of monies at the disposal of the Authority.

(8) A person whose term of office expires by the passage of time shall be eligible for re- appointment.

(9) In appointing the chairperson and ordinary members of the Advisory Committee, the Minister shall insofar as is practicable ensure—

(a) an equitable gender balance between men and women, and

(b) both urban and rural representation,

in the composition of the Advisory Committee.

(10) A member of the Authority or a member of the staff of the Authority may attend and be heard at meetings of the Advisory Committee but shall not be eligible to vote on any issue.

(11) The Authority shall provide all reasonable facilities and services as may be required by the Advisory Committee for the carrying out of its functions.

(12) The Advisory Committee may act notwithstanding a vacancy or vacancies in its membership.

(13) The Advisory Committee may regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its procedure and business.

(14) The members of the Advisory Committee shall decide on the frequency of all meetings, subject to the Advisory Committee meeting at least once each year.

(15) The chairperson or ordinary members of the Advisory Committee may resign from office by letter addressed to the Minister.

(16) The Minister may remove from office the chairperson or an ordinary member of the Advisory Committee in any of the following circumstances:

(a) where, in the opinion of the Minister, he or she has become incapable through ill- health of effectively performing his or her duties;

(b) for stated misbehaviour;

(c) in the case of a person appointed to represent an organisation or interest under subsection (4), where the person is no longer such a representative;

(d) where his or her removal appears to the Minister to be necessary or desirable for the effective performance by the Advisory Committee of its functions.

(17) The Minister may, after consultation with the Advisory Committee, make regulations on any matter which the Minister considers expedient for the purposes of this section.