The ministers and their portfolios
DUP
FIRST MINISTER:Rev Ian Paisley, DUP leader, MP and MLA for North Antrim. Now 81, he concludes a mercurial career as a firebrand politician and preacher by doing what not so very long ago appeared almost unthinkable - sharing power with Sinn Féin. Expected to hand over in next year or so (most likely to Peter Robinson or, less likely, to Nigel Dodds) and must use time to prove DUP and Sinn Féin can actually work together to make devolution work.
MINISTER FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL:Peter Robinson, DUP deputy leader, MP and MLA for East Belfast and the party's chief strategist. He will control the purse strings and must ensure that the departments of nationalist as well as of unionist ministers are seen to be properly and fairly funded.
MINISTER FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT:Nigel Dodds, DUP MP and MLA for North Belfast. Former successful social development minister now charged with stimulating the North's tired economy. A hardliner, who came onside with Dr Paisley at the last moment, his brief will involve him in considerable North-South activity.
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:Arlene Foster, DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. A solicitor, with Jeffrey Donaldson she was a headline-grabbing defector from the Ulster Unionist Party to the DUP. Would also have - probably minor - ambitions of taking Michelle Gildernew's Westminster seat in the constituency.
MINISTER FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE:Edwin Poots, DUP MLA for Lagan Valley. Must prove that the DUP, with its perceived anti-fun religious fundamentalist influences, is not a party of philistinism. Sinn Féin will have hard time persuading the hard-working Mr Poots to push the Irish language Act through the Assembly. Also has controversial decision to make on where to locate new sports stadium, at the Maze in his constituency, or in Belfast.
JUNIOR MINISTER IN OFFICE OF FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER:Ian Paisley jnr, MLA for North Antrim, providing support for his father, and keeping a hawk eye on workings of Martin McGuinness.
Sinn Féin
DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER:Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin MP for Mid Ulster, the party's chief negotiator, and former IRA leader. As former education minister he made his mark by abolishing the controversial 11-plus primary to secondary school transfer exam, to the annoyance of unionist politicians. Achieving a successful working relationship with Dr Paisley will be a test of his personal and political skills.
JUNIOR MINISTER IN OFFICE OF FIRST AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER:Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, former IRA prisoner. Will be charged with ensuring Dr Paisley does not steal a march on Deputy First Minister.
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT:Conor Murphy, MP and MLA for Newry and Armagh, and former IRA prisoner. Rapidly promoted in recent years through the party to stand alongside Adams, McGuinness and Kelly as one of the key republican players.
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION:Caitríona Ruane, Sinn Féin MLA for South Down, who is targeting Eddie McGrady's Westminster seat. She will push Irish language Act, and must also try to find an accommodation with unionism over what will replace the 11-plus exam. Former spokeswoman for the Colombia Three.
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE:Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Féin MP and MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, who is overcoming her gaffe about not reporting armed republican dissidents. Has the personality to work well with farmers and with Dr Paisley and other DUP politicians who have a keen interest in agriculture.
UUP
MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING:Sir Reg Empey, UUP leader, MLA for East Belfast. Took more junior of the party's two departments so he could concentrate on the challenging task of revitalising the party after disastrous Assembly election. Post will suit him as he had similar jobs-promotion portfolio in first Assembly and also on Belfast City Council.
MINISTER FOR HEALTH:Michael McGimpsey, UUP MLA for South Belfast, and surprise choice for portfolio ahead of deputy leader Danny Kennedy and North Down MLA Alan McFarland. Former Assembly minister who will need all his experience to manage this big budget but tough department.
SDLP
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:Margaret Ritchie, MLA for South Down, the party's only minister and also a prospect to replace Eddie McGrady as MP for the constituency. Has hugely difficult task of trying to achieve affordable housing in Northern Ireland.
