Northern Ireland Act 1998

19 Junior Ministers.U.K.

(1)The First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly may at any time determine—

(a)that a number of members of the Assembly specified in the determination shall be appointed as junior Ministers in accordance with such procedures for their appointment as are so specified; and

(b)that the functions exercisable by virtue of each junior Ministerial office shall be those specified in relation to that office in the determination.

(2)Procedures specified in a determination under this section may apply such formulae or other rules as the First Minister and the deputy First Minister consider appropriate.

(3)A determination under this section shall—

(a)make provision as to the circumstances in which a junior Minister shall cease to hold office, and for the filling of vacancies; and

(b)provide that a junior Minister shall not take up office until he has affirmed the terms of the pledge of office.

(4)A determination under this section shall not take effect until it has been approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

(5)Where a determination under this section takes effect—

(a)any junior Ministers previously appointed shall cease to hold office; and

(b)the procedures specified in the determination shall be applied within a period specified in standing orders.