(1) The Committee shall(a) act as the national advisory body on all matters concerning or related to the genetic modification of organisms: (b) advise, on request or of its own accord, the Minister, the Council, other Ministries and appropriate bodies, on matters concerning the genetic modification of organisms and, inter alia, advise them(i) on all aspects relating to the introduction of genetically modified organisms into the environment; (ii) on proposals for specific activities or projects concerning the genetic modification of organisms; (iii) on all aspects concerning the contained use of genetically modified organisms; (iv) on the importation and exportation of genetically modified organisms; and (v) on proposed regulations and written guidelines. (c) liaise, through the relevant national departments, with international groups or organisations concerned with biosafety: and (d) invite written comments knowledgeable persons on any aspect of the genetic modification of organisms which lies within the Committee’s brief. (2) The Committee may appoint subcommittees to deal with specific matters as required. Funding Section 12 (1) To members of the Committee, subcommittee members and the member referred to in section 3(2)(c) shall be paid such remuneration as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may determine. (2) The Committee shall annually and in accordance with the departmental budgetary programme submit a budget to the Council. Conflict of interest Section 13 A person appointed to the Committee shall immediately recuse himself or herself as a member of the Committee if a subject matter is in issue in which he or she has any direct or indirect interest or if, for any other reason there is or there is likely to be a conflict of interest as a result of his or her participation in the proceedings of tile Committee. Prohibition of activities concerning genetically modified organisms