Part III Executive Authorities
Authorities
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—
(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.