s 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.