Cap. 188 Art. 25Appointment of the Regulator.

(1) The Prime Minister, after consulting the Leader of the Opposition, shall appoint as a Regulator for the purposes of the application process for the granting of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation in accordance with article 10(9) by collating and analysing data and information, a person who has held the office of

Judge or Magistrate, or who has held the office of Attorney General,

State Advocate, Permanent Secretary, Director General or Director of the Public Service, or who has practiced as an advocate or auditor or accountant in Malta for a period of at least twelve (12) years:

Provided that during such time when a Regulator is not appointed the Ombudsman appointed under the Ombudsman Act shall act as Regulator. ex officio

(2) The Regulator shall hold office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(3) In addition to his functions under this Act and such other functions as may be assigned to him under any law the Regulator shall ensure that the process of the granting of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation in accordance with article 10(9) is duly followed.

(4) The Prime Minister may by regulations assign to the Regulator any other function related to citizenship.

(5) In the discharge of his functions under this Act, the Regulator shall act in his individual judgment and shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

(6) It shall be the duty of the Agency in the administration of applications for the granting of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation in accordance with article 10(9) or of any other matter in relation to which the Regulator is assigned functions under sub-article (4) to give to the Regulator such documents or information as he may require for the purpose of enabling him to discharge his functions.

(7) The Regulator may at any time report to the Minister on any matter relating to the discharge of his functions under this Act.

(8) The Regulator shall make an annual report to the Minister on the discharge of his functions as provided under article 25(1). In his report, the Regulator shall not include personal data relating to individuals who have acquired Maltese citizenship by naturalisation in accordance with article 10(9).

(9) The Minister shall lay a copy of each annual report made by the Regulator under subarticle (8) on the Table of the House as soon as possible after the report is made to him.