(3) The Council must meet at least four times a year. (4) The Chairperson may at any time, and must upon receipt of a request in writing of at least three other members or of the Minister, convene a special meeting of the Council. (5) The Chairperson or, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson must preside at a meeting of the Council and, if neither of them is present, the members present must elect a member to preside at that meeting. (6) At a meeting of the Council – (a) a quorum at a meeting of the Council is three members; (b) all questions are decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting; and (c) the member presiding has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, also a casting vote. (7) The Council must, on a request in writing of the Minister, consider any matter specified by the Minister in relation to the Council’s functions. (8) Unless the Council determines otherwise, the Permanent Secretary, or his or her delegate, must attend the meetings of the Council and may take part in deliberations, but has no vote. (9) The Council may permit any person who has expert knowledge of a matter which is before the Council or a committee for determination to attend a meeting of the Council or the committee and take part in deliberations in relation to that matter, but that person has no vote. (10) Subject to this Act, the Council – 12