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Triggering D'Hondt

• Martina Purdy
• 2 Apr 07, 12:23 PM

Here is the order of which ministers are to be selected today - and the best GUESS of a Stormont insider as to where the departments may fall:

1. DUP - Finance
2. SF - Enterprise
3. DUP - Education
4. UUP - Health
5. SDLP - Regional Dev
6. SF - Culture Arts Leisure
7. DUP - Social Development
8. SF - Dept of Higher Education and Learning
9. DUP - Agriculture
10. UUP - Environment

Here's the thinking behind this: SF wants Enterprise because it has a strong cross-border dimension and they want to drive an all-island economy. They will later select Higher Education because its training element fits in strategically with driving the economy. DUPs may feel they have no choice but to take Education. Regional Dev is a big spend and although it has water charges it also has trains, buses and lovely cross border roads. DUP said to want Agriculture this time for the rural element. SF has longed for culture to promote Irish language despite the department's small budget. Health for UUP because Sir Reg likes a challenge and it will make his party rather important. DUP took Social Development last time because it lacks cross border element and includes housing. But take all this with a pinch of salt as it is not an exact science!

There is also whispers that there has been an attempt to precook the arrangements so the party leaders have a fair idea of who is getting what before today's meeting at 2pm today.

Martin McGuinness is about to meet the media at 1.45pm and the MLAs with him may be the faces about to become ministers. The media is expecting Catriona Ruane and Conor Murphy to make the Executive list. We'll soon see.