The main unionist and nationalist parties in Northern Ireland are likely to be entitled to an equal share of ministries in a new administration. Unionists and nationalists will be entitled to six each of the expected 12 ministerial posts. The posts of First and Deputy First Minister will be voted on when the Assembly meets on Wednesday. These top positions should go to the Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, and to the SDLP candidate, who will probably be the party leader, Mr John Hume.
The final share-out of Assembly seats was as follows: UUP 28; SDLP 24; Democratic Unionist Party 20; Sinn Fein 18; Alliance Party 6; UK Unionists 5; Independent Unionists 3; Progressive Unionists 2; Northern Ireland Women's Coalition 2.
Assuming there are 10 portfolios in addition to the posts of First and Deputy First Minister, these would be allocated as follows: UUP 3; SDLP 3; DUP 2; and SF 2.
The DUP has indicated strongly it will not enter cabinet with Sinn Fein. In the absence of IRA decommissioning, the UUP will have similar difficulties.
There are only six government departments in Northern Ireland at present, and before 10 ministers could be appointed these portfolios would have to be redefined. The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, told reporters: "Over the summer we would expect to see the departments and portfolios identified so that the executive can be appointed soon after and shadow ministers can begin to develop a programme for government and can take part in discussions with the Irish Government about North-South co-operation."
The Belfast Agreement states that areas for North-South co-operation must be specified by October 31st. The North's Political Development Minister, Mr Paul Murphy, said this assumed a "shadow authority of some sort" to deal with North-South relations.
"The expectation would be that during the course of the autumn the executive would be formed because by then the portfolios presumably would have been established," Mr Murphy said.
It is believed the governments hope the new executive will be formed and hold its first meeting in early September. But unionist difficulties with Sinn Fein put this in some doubt.
The percentage share of first-preference votes among the different parties was: SDLP 21.96; UUP 21.26; DUP 18.13; SF 17.63; Alliance 6.50; UK Unionists 4.51; PUP 2.55; NIWC 1.61; Ulster Democratic Party 1.07; Labour 0.34.
Mr Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein said: "The Good Friday agreement clearly indicates that the shadow executive and the all-Ireland council will come into being in the transitional period, and early enough for the completion of a work programme by October 31st. It is our intention to pursue this."