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.