Inactive or defunct adoption societies
8.—(1) If it appears to the Department that a registered adoption society, or a society whose registration has expired under Article 4(4) or has been cancelled under Article 5, is inactive or defunct, the Department may, in relation to any child who is or was in the care of the society, direct a Board to take such action as might have been taken by the society or by the society jointly with some other body (including a Board).
(2) Before giving a direction under paragraph (1), the Department shall, if practicable, consult both the society and the Board.