Commentary on Sections Ministerial conduct Section 7: Pledge of office
51.Section 7 amends the pledge of office, as set out in Schedule 4 to the 1998 Act, which all Ministers are required to affirm on taking up office. Under this section Ministers are required to make four new commitments as conditions of office. They must promote the interests of the whole Northern Ireland community, participate fully in the Executive Committee, the NSMC and the BIC, observe the joint nature of the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister and uphold the rule of law (including by supporting policing and the courts as set out in paragraph 6 of the St Andrews Agreement).