A distinguished cast assembles in Tralee

Wolfgang Schussel (51): Also Vice Chancellor. Received doctorate in law from Vienna University in 1968. A former general secretary, now leader, of the Austrian People's Party of Chancellor Franz Vranitsky's fifth government, he has been making waves on Austria's traditional neutrality to the distress of coalition partners in the Socialist Party. In his current job since 1995, having previously served as Minister for Economic Affairs.

BELGIUM

Erik Derycke (48): A Flemish lawyer, local councillor in Waregem, and member of the executive of the Flemish Socialist Party, which is part of the multi party, cross community coalition. Previously served as junior minister for science and later for development cooperation. Former parliamentary representative at the Council of Europe and the WEU. Appointed to current post last year.

BRITAIN

Malcom Rifkind (50). Married with two children. Former lecturer and barrister, he is one of Scotland's few remaining Tories (Edinburgh Pentlands since 1974). Began to express sufficiently Eurosceptical, though ambiguous, views to win backbench approval when he took over from much more statesmanlike Douglas Hurd at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office last year. Is mentioned as possible leadership contender but right still likely to see him as a closet wet. Has served as Scottish, Transport, and Defence Secretary.

DENMARK

Niels Helveg Petersen (57): Law degree from Copenhagen University in 1965, an MP since 1966 for the Social Liberal Party (in coalition with the Social Democrats), except for a stint in Brussels as chef de cabinet to the late Commissioner Finn Gundelach in mid seventies. In current post since 1993, a previous Minister for Economic Affairs. Traditionally neutralist, his party has been keeping a low profile on EU's future foreign and security stance since the 1993 referendum on Maastricht was passed only on a second vote.

FINLAND.

Tarja Kaarina Halonen (52): trade union lawyer who has been a Social Democrat MP for Helsinki since 1979. Was prime minister's parliamentary secretary in mid 70s. Has served as junior minister for social affairs, and Minister for Justice and Nordic Co operation.

Foreign ministry press release says with commendable bluntness that she "cohabits with Pentti Arajarvi."

FRANCE

Herve de Charrette (58) Married, five children, both an aristocrat add graduate of the prestigious Ecole Nationale d'Administration, entered politics in 1977 at instigation of Valery Giscard d'Estaing, holding senior positions in Republican Party (UDF), leading one of its constituent parties (PPDF). Has served as a minister under Balladur (Civil Service), Juppe (Housing and Foreign Affairs) and Chirac. Seen as effective articulator of Chirac's vision, with particular interest in Middle East. Likely to put up sharp criticism of US bombing of Iraq.

GERMANY

Klaus Kinkel (59): Trained as lawyer, but served mainly in Interior Ministry jobs. Former head of the Federal Intelligence Service. Like all German foreign ministers must operate in the shadow, enormous in this case, of his Chancellor, who assumes a very substantial foreign policy role, notably on EU issues. Has not persuaded his Free Democrat party that he has successfully filled the shoes of Hans Dietrich Genscher and they deposed him as their leader last year. Rumour has it his Christian Democrat partners have their eye on his job for the Finance Minister, Theo Waigel. Is Former Justice Minister. In Foreign Affairs since 1992, Deputy Chancellor since 1993.

GREECE

Theodoros Pangalos (58): A former lawyer and lecturer in economic development in the Sorbonne, was elected to parliament first in 1981. He is a longstanding member of the socialist party (PASOK) central committee, and has previously served as junior minister for foreign affairs and as Minister for Transport and Communications. Although a genial fellow, has sorely tried the patience of EU colleagues since his appointment in January with the block, until July, on business with Turkey.

ITALY

Lamberto Dini (61): Fulbright and Ford Scholar in US. Distinguished IMF and then Bank of Italy career. Although served as "nonparty" prime minister (January 1995 to February 1996) and previously as a Berlusconi treasury minister, was first elected MP only this year when his list won in coalition with Olive Tree alliance. Some of the former communists of the PDS suspect he is only waiting, a cuckoo in the nest, for the chance to form a centre coalition. Appears to get on well with Prime Minister Prodi. Strongly pro EU and for earliest accession to single currency. His wife, Donatella Zingone, is multi millionaire founder of Costa Rica's Zeta industrial group.

LUXEMBOURG

Jacques Poos (61). Doctorate in economics from Lausanne University. Pragmatic, influential, deeply committed Europhile who is the EU's longest serving Foreign Minister. Member of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party.

Has seen two previous Inter Governmental Conferences since his appointment in 1984. Will strongly defend principle of the Community method of voting but accepts the larger states will see a rebalancing of votes in their favour. Strongly supports Ireland's position of one country one Commissioner. Former Minister for Finance and Economy, now also deputy prime minister.

NETHERLANDS

Hans van Mierlo (65): Henricus Antonius Franciscus Maria Oliva, another lawyer (doctorate Nijmegen, 1960), but worked as a journalist and TV producer. One of founders in 1966 of art Democracy 66 (D66). Entered lower house in 1967. Served previously as Minister for Defence was a pointed deputy prime minister and minister for Foreign Affairs by Wim Kok in 1994.

PORTUGAL

Jaime Gama (49): Married with one son. Degree in philosophy from Lisbon which he represents in parliament. Has also worked as a lecturer on foreign policy and strategic issues. One of the new boys, he was appointed in October 1995 after the election victory of the Socialists, though he did previously serve in the job in the mid 80s. Member of committee of Socialists.

SPAIN

Juan Abel Matutes (54): Married with four children, multi millionaire who started out as a professional footballer, represents Ibiza in Senate. The complete Euro politician, resigned as MEP only this year on election of Aznarto take Foreign Minister job, but the latter makes the running. Was head of the Partido Popular group in European Parliament. Previously, two stints as EU commissioner. His early criticism of US Iraq raids subsequently corrected to full support. In trouble over discrepancies in his company's accounts.

SWEDEN

Lena Hjelm Wallen (53): Married with one daughter. Former teacher, MP since 1969. Served as junior and later lull minister for Education then for Development Co operation. Appointed to her current post by Ingvaar Carlsson after the general election in September 1991. Despite major shuffle when Goran Persson took over, she held her post.