The agreement which has been reached with the Northern Ireland parties involves an administration totalling 15 in number—of which four members would be outside the Executive. The Government consider that these figures—an Executive of up to 11 and a total of appointments under Section 8 of up to 15—are not only in line with the agreement reached with the political parties in Northern Ireland but provide a sound basis upon which future appointments to the Northern Ireland Executive, and to the Northern Ireland administration generally, should be made.