Under the d'Hondt procedure, the UUP was to receive three executive seats, SDLP three, DUP two and Sinn Fein two. However, with the unionist parties refusing to make any nominations the breakdown in seats became: the SDLP six, Sinn Fein four. The order of nominations was:
Mr John Hume for the SDLP nominated: Mr Mark Durkan, minister for finance and personnel. Rev Ian Paisley for the DUP refused to nominate. Mr Gerry Adams for Sinn Fein nominated: Ms Bairbre de Bruin, minister for enterprise, trade and investment.
Mr Hume nominated: Mr Sean Farren, minister for regional development. Mr Adams nominated: Mr Martin McGuinness, minister for agriculture and rural development. Mr Hume nominated: Ms Brid Rodgers, minister for higher and further education. The Alliance Party refused to make any nomination.
Mr Adams nominated: Mr Pat Doherty, minister for education.
Mr Hume offered Mr Eddie McGrady the ministry of health, social services and public safety. But he refused and Dr Joe Hendron was nominated instead.
Mr Bob McCartney for the UK Unionists refused to nominate anyone. Mr Hume nominated: Mr Denis Haughey, minister for social development.
Mr Adams nominated: Ms Mary Nelis, minister for culture, arts and leisure. Mr Hume nominated: Mr Alban Maginness, minister for environment.