2

1 The Commission may appoint staff. 2 The persons appointed by the Commission are referred to in this Act as the staff of the Assembly. 3 It is for the Commission to determine the terms and conditions of appointment of the staff of the Assembly, including arrangements for the payment of pensions, gratuities or allowances to, or in respect of, any person who has ceased to be a member of the staff of the Assembly. 4 Accordingly, the Commission may— a make contributions or payments towards provision for such pensions, gratuities or allowances; b establish and administer one or more pension schemes. 5 The power conferred by sub-paragraph (1) includes power to make arrangements for administrative, secretarial or other assistance to be provided for the Commission by officers of the civil service of Northern Ireland or the civil service; and the reference in sub-paragraph (2) to persons appointed by the Commission shall be construed accordingly.