3.—(1) Standing orders must make provision for the timing of the formation of the Opposition in accordance with this section.
(2) The Opposition may be formed by one or more qualifying parties at the time when a Ministerial office is to be filled by applying section 18(2) to (6) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 following—
(a)the first meeting of the Assembly in accordance with section 16A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998,
(b)all Ministers ceasing to hold office in accordance with section 18(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998,
(c)the application of section 18(10) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 where a Ministerial office is vacant for any other reason but the nominating officer of the party on whose behalf the previous incumbent was nominated does not nominate a person to hold that office.
(3) The Opposition may also be formed by one or more of the qualifying parties before the 30th June 2016.