5(1)This paragraph applies in relation to—
(a)any office which is vacant at the time when section 1 comes into force; and
(b)the offices vacated as a result of this Act.
(2)No provision of, or made under, the 1998 Act relating to the filling of the vacancy, and no such provision of the Standing Orders of the Assembly, applies while section 1 is in force.
(3)No steps are to be taken to fill the vacancy while section 1 is in force.
(4)If a restoration order is subsequently made, the vacancy is to be filled in accordance with section 3.
(5)“Office” means any of the following offices—
(a)First Minister;
(b)deputy First Minister;
(c)Northern Ireland Minister;
(d)Northern Ireland junior Minister;
(e)chairman or deputy chairman of a statutory committee.