| 1.1 | Section 28A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) provides for a Ministerial Code. This document is that Ministerial Code. It sets out the rules and procedures for the exercise of the duties and responsibilities of Ministers and junior Ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly as specified in the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the St Andrews Agreement and the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006. |
| 1.2 | In accordance with section 28A (1) of the Act, without prejudice to section 24 of that Act, a Minister or junior Minister shall act in accordance with the provisions of this Code. |
| 1.3 | The Ministerial Code of Conduct, referred to at paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 below is an integral part of the Ministerial Code. The Ministerial Code of Conduct is not to be regarded as a substitute for, or an alternative to, the full provisions of the Ministerial Code. |
