11.The section provides for the automatic re-appointment of Ministers and chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees to their previous positions after a Restoration Order has been made, provided they remain eligible to hold office.
12.If such a position is vacant after the suspension of the Assembly has been lifted, replacements will need to be appointed. Subsections (3) to (5) allow for the joint election of new First and Deputy First Ministers under the relevant parts of section 16 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Under that Act the First and Deputy First Ministers must stand for election as a pair of candidates, one each from the two traditions, and must be elected as a pair. Subsection (7) allows for the appointment of Ministers and Committee chairmen and deputy chairmen using the d'Hondt formula that allocates positions according to party strengths in the Assembly.
Commentary Section 3: Effect of Restoration