(1)For the purposes of filling the Ministerial offices on the first occasion following the election of the Northern Ireland Assembly at the poll on 2 March 2017, the Northern Ireland Act 1998 has effect as if in section 16A(3) for “14 days” there were substituted “ 108 days ”.
(2)Subsection (1) is to be treated as having had effect at all times on and after 2 March 2017.
(3)In this section “the Ministerial offices” means—
(a)the offices of First Minister and deputy First Minister, and
(b)the Ministerial offices to be held by Northern Ireland Ministers (within the meaning of the Northern Ireland Act 1998).