Cap. 556 Art. 8Purposes of the Council.

The purposes of the Council are:

(a) to advise the Minister in all matters related to sign language;

(b) to support research related to sign language;

(c) to support the development of sign language and motivate and enhance the recognition and expression of Maltese Sign Language;

(d) to promote the dynamic development of such linguistic characteristics as identified by the Maltese Deaf community;

(e) in consultation with the Deaf community, adopt a suitable linguistic policy backed by a strategic plan, and ensure that the same are put into practice and observed in all sectors of Maltese life;

(f) to evaluate and co-ordinate the work done by associations and individuals, in Maltese Sign Language sector and to foster an atmosphere of co-operation through a consensual plan;

(g) to seek to obtain financial resources locally and overseas in order to be able to strengthen its activities, especially such resources as are already accessible to local and international organisations for research purposes;

(h) to co-operate with persons, bodies and organisations in the disability sector in order to increase and augment the recognition and appreciation of Maltese Sign Language and cultural activities for the further advancement of Maltese Sign Language;

(i) to prescribe and establish regulations about the standards of competency that a person who is to act as an interpreter of Maltese Sign Language must attain and keep a register of recognised Maltese Sign Language Interpreters; shall be appointed after consultation with the National Commission for Persons with Disability as Chairperson.

(2) The members shall be appointed from amongst persons who are knowledgeable in matters relating to sign language, ancillary services, public service procedures, education or in other areas related to signing; at least two of the members of the Council shall be persons belonging to the Deaf community and another member shall be appointed in consultation with the Minister responsible for education.

(3) The members of the Council shall be appointed for a term of three years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment on the expiration of their term of office. Any member may, before the expiration of his term of office, resign by letter addressed to the Minister.

(4) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member of the Council if he is, or was, a Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, a member of the House of Representatives, a member of a local government authority, or if he is a public officer other than a public officer who is qualified to be appointed Chairperson of the Council under sub-article (2).

(5) Subject to the provisions of this article, the office of a member of the Council shall become vacant -

(a) at the expiration of three years from the date of his appointment; or

(b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Council, would cause him to be disqualified for appointment as such.

(6) A member of the Council may be removed from office by the Minister, but such member may be removed only for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body or any other cause) or for misbehaviour.

(7) If the office of a member of the Council is vacant or if a member is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, the Minister shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed to be a member to be a temporary member of the Council, and any person so appointed shall, subject to the provisions of sub-articles (5) and (6), cease to be such a member when a person has been appointed to fill the vacancy or, as the case may be, when the member who was unable to perform the functions of his office resumes those functions.

(8) The Minister shall ensure that the Council is provided with the necessary resources in order to function in an effective manner.