Section 19 Junior Ministers.

(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—

C1(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.

Annotations

Modifications

C1: S. 19(3)(a) applied (12.2.2000) by 2000 c. 1, s. 3(7)(b); S.I. 2000/396, art. 2

Notes on Part III

Modifications

C1: Pts. II-IV applied in part (1.1.2007) by The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/439), reg. 53(6)