SINN FÉIN caused surprise yesterday when it decided to take the education portfolio in the new Northern Executive, which was announced – in a break with tradition – by Twitter in the evening.
The names of the new Ministers in the Executive will be formally revealed on Monday. But First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness took the unusual step of announcing by Twitter how departments will be allocated.
The DUP as expected took the Department of Finance and Personnel, giving it control of the Executive purse strings.
There was speculation that Sinn Féin, which had second choice, would opt for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment rather than Education. However, the party again chose education.
Sinn Féin’s decision allowed the DUP retain the enterprise portfolio. Fourth choice went to the Ulster Unionist Party which opted for regional development on this occasion.
Sinn Féin then retook agriculture, while the SDLP chose environment.
The DUP chose social development and Sinn Féin took the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure. The DUP with ninth choice went for health.
Alliance, with the final choice, will run the Department of Employment and Learning.