I will conduct the process for filling these offices in accordance with the procedure set out in section 18 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Standing Order 44. I will ask the nominating officer of each political party in the order required by the formula contained in section 18(5) to select an available ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his or her party and a Member of the Assembly.

I have received notification that the nominating officers for this item of business for the Alliance Party will be Paula Bradshaw; for the SDLP, Ms Cara Hunter; and for the UUP, Mr John Stewart. If a nominating officer declines to nominate, I will invite the nominating officer of the next political party determined by the formula to nominate a Member to hold ministerial office.

I call Michelle O'Neill, as nominating officer of the political party to which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of her party and a Member of the Assembly.

I choose the Department for the Economy and nominate Conor Murphy.

Does Conor Murphy confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office.

Tá mé sásta, a Cheann Comhairle, agus tá mé toilteanach glacadh leis an oifig.

[Translation: I confirm, Mr Speaker, that I am willing to take up the office of Minister for the Economy.]

I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Conor Murphy is now Minister for the Economy.

I call on Keith Buchanan, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a person to hold it who is a member of his party and a Member of the Assembly.

I select the Department of Education, and I nominate Paul Givan MLA.

Does Mr Givan confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the Pledge of Office?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Education, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Paul Givan is now the Minister of Education.

May we have a slight suspension? Proceedings have run contrary to how we expected.

OK. We will suspend for 15 minutes.

The sitting was suspended at 3.42 pm and resumed at 3.54 pm.

I call on Michelle O'Neill, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it who is a member of her party and of the Assembly.

I choose the Department of Finance and nominate Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

Will the Member confirm that she is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Finance, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald appointed Minister of Finance.

I call on Keith Buchanan, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it who is a member of his party and of the Assembly.

I select the Department for Communities and nominate Gordon Lyons MLA.

Will the Member confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Communities, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Gordon Lyons appointed Minister for Communities.

I call on John Stewart, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it who is a member of his party and of the Assembly.

I select the Department of Health and nominate Robin Swann MLA.

Mr Swann, are you willing to accept the nomination?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Health, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Robin Swann appointed Minister of Health.

I call on Michelle O'Neill, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it who is a member of her party and of the Assembly.

I choose the Department for Infrastructure and nominate John O'Dowd.

Will the Member confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister for Infrastructure, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr John O'Dowd appointed Minister for Infrastructure.

I call on Paula Bradshaw, as nominating officer of the political party for which the formula laid down in section 18 gives the highest figure, to select a ministerial office and nominate a Member to hold it who is a member of her party and of the Assembly.

On behalf of the Alliance Party, we will be taking Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and we nominate Andrew Muir.

Will the Member confirm that he is willing to take up office and affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Mr Andrew Muir appointed Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

I thank the Assembly for its patience. That concludes the appointment of Ministers under the d'Hondt process. I offer my congratulations to all those who have taken up office.