I have received correspondence from the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in relation to the appointment of junior Ministers.

"Dear Speaker, Pursuant to the procedure for the appointment of junior Ministers specified in paragraph 3(1) of the determination made by the then First Minister and deputy First Minister on 8 December 1999, as approved by the Assembly on 14 December 1999, we have appointed Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron as junior Ministers in the Executive Office. Signed, First Minister and deputy First Minister"

Will Aisling Reilly affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

Glacaim leis.

[Translation: I accept.]

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

Ms Aisling Reilly appointed a junior Minister.

Will Pam Cameron affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office?

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

Mrs Pam Cameron appointed a junior Minister.

That concludes the business of appointing the junior Ministers, and I offer my congratulations to them as they take up office.

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I refer you to the Pledge of Office. Can you confirm whether the Pledge of Office includes a pledge to operate and work the recently announced east-west council, because I do not think that it was in the text. Secondly, when the Pledge of Office commits Ministers to implementing the law, in light of the judgement that was held in the case of Rooney against you, can you confirm that that means that there is a statutory obligation on each and every Minister to implement the protocol?

The Member heard the Pledge of Office as it was read. It came from the St Andrews Agreement in 2006, and, therefore, the Pledge of Office is as it was written at that point.

As that concludes all the business in the Order Paper that may be conducted today, I propose, by leave of the Assembly, to adjourn the sitting. Details of the next sitting will be communicated to Members in due course.

Adjourned at 4.02 pm.