7.—(1) There shall be a chief officer of the Council who shall be a member of the staff of the Council and shall be responsible to the Council for the general exercise of its functions.N.I.
(2) The first chief officer shall be appointed by the Department on such terms and conditions as the Department may determine.
(3) Subject to paragraph 8(3), any chief officer subsequent to the first shall be appointed by the Council on such terms and conditions as the Council may determine.
(4) An appointment under sub-paragraph (3) requires the approval of the Department.