17Decision about licence application

17 Decision about licence application (1) If a person applies for a licence, the chief health officer must— (a) issue the licence; or (b) refuse to issue the licence. Note A licence may be issued with a condition (see s 19). (2) The chief health officer may issue the licence to the applicant, only if satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold the licence in accordance with section 17A. (3) The chief health officer must refuse to issue the licence if satisfied it is not in the public interest to issue the licence. (4) In considering the public interest under subsection (3), the chief health officer must consider the risk of a dose limit being exceeded. (5) Subsection (4) does not limit the matters the chief health officer may consider relevant to the public interest.