Sections 52A and 52B: supplementary

1 If any question arises under section 52A or 52B as to which Minister or junior Minister has responsibility for any matter, the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly shall determine that question. 2 A Minister or junior Minister who participates in a meeting of either the North-South Ministerial Council or the British-Irish Council by virtue of any provision of section 52A or 52B shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the meeting, make a report— a to the Executive Committee; and b to the Assembly. 3 A report under subsection (2)(b) shall be made orally unless standing orders authorise it to be made in writing. 4 The Northern Ireland contributions towards the expenses of the Councils shall be defrayed as expenses of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. 5 In sections 52A and 52B and this section “ participate ” shall be construed— a in relation to the North-South Ministerial Council, in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 of Strand Two of the Belfast Agreement; b in relation to the British-Irish Council, in accordance with the first paragraph 5 of Strand Three of that Agreement.