The North-South bodies were established by an international agreement between the British and Irish Governments in accordance with the provisions of strand two of the Good Friday Agreement. That international agreement was then given effect in domestic legislation by the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999. Under the terms of the international agreement, the North-South bodies were placed under the direction of the North-South Ministerial Council. The Council brings together Ministers from both parts of the island to develop formal North-South co-operation across an agreed range of sectors. At North-South Ministerial Council meetings Northern and Southern Ministers jointly direct and mandate the work programmes of the bodies in accordance with their statutory functions as laid down in the international agreement. The bodies are accountable to the Council for the fulfilment of their mandates and also require Council approval for a wide range of administrative matters such as annual budgets, operating plans, staffing levels and the appointment of board members.