extent N.I. + Tenure of OfficeN.I.

regulation 7 + 7.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, a person holds and vacates office as the Commissioner in accordance with the terms of that person’s appointment.

(2) An appointment as the Commissioner is for a term of five years.

(3) A person who ceases to be the Commissioner on the expiration of that person’s first term of office is eligible for re-appointment, but a person who has been re-appointed by virtue of this regulation is not eligible for appointment or re-appointment as the Commissioner at any time after the end of that person’s second term of office.

(4) A person may at any time resign from office as the Commissioner by written notice to the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

(5) The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may remove a person from office as the Commissioner if satisfied that that person has—

regulation 7 5 a + (a)been convicted of a criminal offence;

regulation 7 5 b + (b)become bankrupt, or is the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order, a debt relief order or a debt relief restrictions order, or has made a voluntary arrangement;

regulation 7 5 c + (c)without reasonable excuse, failed to discharge the functions of the Commissioner for a continuous period of three months; or

regulation 7 5 d + (d)become unfit or unable to exercise the functions of the Commissioner.

(6) Each of the expressions used in paragraph (5)(b) has the same meaning as in the Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989(b).