| 3.11 | In accordance with section 52B (1) of the Act, it shall be a Ministerial responsibility of:- |
| (a) each appropriate Minister; or | |
| (b) if a Minister or junior Minister is nominated under paragraphs 3.3 or 3.5 to attend a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council or the British-Irish Council in place of an appropriate Minister, that Minister or junior Minister, to participate in that meeting so far as it relates to matters for which the appropriate Minister has responsibility. | |
| 3.12 | It shall be the responsibility of a Minister or junior Minister nominated to attend a meeting of either Council under paragraph 3.7 to participate in the meeting so far as specified in the nomination. |
| 3.13 | Each appropriate Minister shall give to:- |
| (a) a person nominated under paragraph 3.3 or 3.5 to attend a meeting of either Council in his or her place, or | |
| (b) a person nominated under paragraph 3.7 to participate in a meeting of either Council sofarasspecifiedinthenomination, such information as may be necessary to enable the person’s full participation in the meeting. | |
| 3.14 | But if the appropriate Minister does not give sufficient information under paragraph 3.13 to enable the person’s full participation in the meeting:- |
| (a) the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly may request the necessary information;and | |
| (b) if they do so, the appropriate Minister must give that information to the person nominated. | |
| 3.15 | In accordance with section 52B (5) of the Act, a person nominated under paragraphs 3.3 or 3.5 may enter into agreements or arrangements in respect of matters for which the appropriate Minister is (or the appropriate Ministers are) responsible. |
| 3.16 | Without prejudice to the operation of section 24 of the Act, a Minister or junior Minister attending a meeting of either Council by virtue of any provision in paragraphs 3.1-3.20 shall act in accordance with any decisions of the Assembly or the Executive Committee (by virtue of the provisions contained in paragraph 2.4) which are relevant to his or her participation in the Council concerned. |
| 3.17 | If any question arises under the paragraphs above as to which Minister or junior Minister has responsibility for any matter, the First Minister and the deputy First Minister acting jointly shall determine that question. |
| 3.18 | In accordance with section 52C (2) of the Act, a Minister or junior Minister who participates in a meeting of either the North-South Ministerial Council or the British-Irish Council by virtue of any provision in the paragraphs above shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the meeting, make a report:- |
| (a) to the Executive Committee; and | |
| (b) to the Assembly. | |
| 3.19 | A report under paragraph 3.18 (b) shall be made orally unless standing orders authorise it to be made in writing. |
| 3.20 | In the above paragraphs, the term “participate” shall be construed, in relation to the North-South Ministerial Council in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 of Strand Two of the Belfast Agreement. In relation to the British-Irish Council, the term “participate” is to be construed in accordance with Strand Three of that Agreement. Participation in the North South Ministerial Council should be in accordance with the agreed Memorandum of Understanding on Procedures for that Council. Participation in the British-Irish Council should be in accordance with the Memorandum on Procedural Guidance for that Council. Copies of both memoranda are contained in the procedural guidance which accompanies this Ministerial Code. |
