25. For the purposes of the law of defamation, publication by the Commissioner of any matter which the Commissioner is required or authorised to publish under this Order shall be absolutely privileged.
26.—(1) In relation to a general health services provider, the relevant authority provisions of this Order apply only in relation to matters arising in connection with any general health services provided by that provider.
(2) In relation to an independent provider, the relevant authority provisions of this Order apply only in relation to matters arising in connection with a service which the independent provider was providing, or which it was the independent provider’s function to provide, under arrangements with a health and social services body or a general health services provider.
(3) In relation to any other relevant authority, the relevant authority provisions of this Order apply only in relation to matters arising in connection with the exercise by the authority of its public functions.
(4) For the purposes of this Article—
“public functions” means functions other than those of a private nature;
“the relevant authority provisions of this Order” are—
Article 7(3) and (4),
Article 8(4);
Articles 9 to 13;
Articles 16 to 23; and
Schedule 3.
27. This Order applies in relation to matters arising before as well as after it comes into operation.