Section 1 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018 (c. 28) (“the 2018 Act”) extended the time under section 16A of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47) for Northern Ireland Ministers to be appointed until 26th March 2019. Section 2(1) of the 2018 Act allows the Secretary of State, by regulations, to extend that period for one further period of up to 5 months.