45. (1) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) the Regulator may appoint such members of its staff as it thinks fit to be inspectors for such period and subject to such terms as the Regulator may determine, and

(b) the Regulator may appoint such other persons as it thinks fit to be inspectors for such period and subject to such terms (including terms as to remuneration and allowances for expenses) as the Regulator, with the approval of the Minister and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may determine.

(2) The Regulator may revoke the appointment of an inspector appointed under subsection (1), whether or not the appointment was for a fixed period.

(3) An appointment under subsection (1) ceases—

(a) if it is revoked under subsection (2),

(b) if it is for a fixed period, on the expiry of that period, or

(c) if the person appointed is a member of staff of the Regulator, on the person ceasing to be such a member.

(4) An inspector shall be furnished with a certificate of his or her appointment by the Regulator.

(5) When exercising any power conferred on an inspector by this Part, the inspector shall, if requested by a person affected, produce the certificate of appointment or a copy of it and a form of personal identification to that person for inspection.

(6) A person who purports to act as an inspector for the purposes of this Part—

(a) without having been duly appointed under subsection (1), or

(b) after his or her appointment ceases under subsection (3),

shall be guilty of an offence.