To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in relation to Section 3.3 of the agreement at Hillsborough Castle of 5 February, there was any or full consultation with and consent by Sir Reg Empey and Margaret Ritchie that they would co-chair a Working Group. [HL1951]

The agreement at Hillsborough Castle presumes no such consent. Section 3 sets out the intention of the First and Deputy First Ministers to invite Sir Reg Empey and Margaret Ritchie to co-chair the Working Group that will consider how the Executive might function better and how delivery might be improved.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in relation to sections 1.2 and 1.3 of the Agreement at Hillsborough Castle of 5 February, the appointment of the Justice Minister is intended to set a precedent for the appointment of other Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, rather than by the d'Hondt system; and whether that is in line with the Belfast agreement or the St Andrews agreement. [HL1953]

The arrangements to appoint the Justice Minister by a cross-community vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly reflect the particular circumstances of the new Department of Justice. No precedent as regards other Ministers is intended to be set by the Justice Minister being appointed in this manner and other ministerial portfolios will continue to be filled by the d'Hondt method. Neither the Good Friday agreement nor the St Andrews agreement made specific provision for the appointment of the Justice Minister.