3.—(1) The Regulator may, after consulting the Department of Finance and Personnel as to numbers and terms and conditions of service, appoint such staff as the Regulator may determine.
(2) The members of staff must include a deputy to the Regulator who is to act as Regulator—
(a)during any vacancy in that office, or
(b)if the Regulator is absent, subject to suspension or unable to act.
(3) Where a participant in a scheme under Article 3 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (NI 10) is appointed as the Regulator, the Department of Finance and Personnel may determine that the person’s term of office as the Regulator is to be treated for the purposes of the scheme as service in the employment by reference to which he was a participant (whether or not any benefits are payable by virtue of paragraph 2(2)).