Section 4 — Competent authority

(1)The Minister may appoint a public officer, or a body established or constituted by or under any public Act to perform a public function (except a Town Council), to be the competent authority for the purposes of this Act.

(2)The competent authority is responsible for the administration of this Act, and may perform such duties as are imposed, and may exercise such powers as are conferred, on the competent authority by this Act, subject to any general or special directions of the Minister.