Cap. 628 Art. 4Board of the Authority.           Cap. 446.

(1) The Board of the Authority shall consist of a

Chairperson and of from four (4) to eight (8) other members appointed by the Minister from amongst persons who in the opinion of the Minister have experience and knowledge of the field of activity of the Authority, or experience in the field of non-governmental organisations, or other regulatory experience, or who are qualified in sciences or have experience in research or who have experience as educators or in the exercise of the legal profession of advocate, or persons who in the opinion of the Minister represent the wide perspective of the various opinions of the stakeholders in the sector.

(2) One of the members of the Board of the Authority shall be appointed by the Minister as Deputy Chairperson. The Deputy Chairperson shall have all the powers and perform all duties of the Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson or during any period where the Chairperson cannot perform his function for any other cause, or during any vacancy in the office of the Chairperson.

(3) The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its composition or during the absence of any of its members as long as the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson and any two (2) other members are present.

(4) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed, or to continue to hold office, as a member of the Board if he is:

(a) interdicted or incapacitated;

(b) has been declared bankrupt; or

(c) has been found guilty of an offence in Malta or abroad other than:

(i) an offence of an involuntary nature; or

(ii) an offence liable to the punishment established for contraventions.

(5) For the purpose of paragraph (c) of sub-article (4) a person who has been found guilty of an offence as specified in that paragraph shall still be disqualified to hold office notwithstanding that any punishment awarded has been suspended or such person has been conditionally released or put under probation without the infliction of any penalty or such person has been sentenced according to the

Probation Act without the infliction of any penalty.

(6) The Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson and the other members of the Board shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years and may be reappointed.

(7) The members of the Board shall receive such remuneration as the Minister may determine upon their appointment.

(8) The Minister shall appoint a person being an advocate or a legal procurator or a public officer to act as Secretary to the Board.