46. (1) If a member resigns, dies, ceases to hold office (otherwise than by effluxion of time), ceases to be qualified to hold office or is removed from office, the Minister shall, as soon as is practicable, appoint, consistent with the provisions of section 45 , a person to fill the casual vacancy so arising.

(2) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall hold office for the unexpired period of his or her predecessor’s term of office or such other period as the Minister may determine not exceeding four years (including such unexpired period).

(3) A member appointed under subsection (1) is eligible for reappointment to the Board (M) on the expiry of the unexpired period or other period, as appropriate, referred to in subsection (2) but may not serve for more than two further consecutive terms and in any event may not serve for a period of more than eight years.