NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEW GOVERNMENT: THE GOVERNMENT MEMBERS AND THE TASKS THEY FACE

DAVID TRIMBLE (UUP)

FIRST MINISTER

Leader of the Ulster Unionists. Shared the Nobel Peace Price with John Hume last year but leads a party riven with unease. Intelligent, articulate and with the instinct to drag his party into the 21st century.

CHALLENGE To build a new tradition of democratic self-determination.

SEAMUS MALLON (SDLP)

DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Deputy leader of the SDLP, he began his political career in the early 1960s when, as a primary school headmaster, he got involved in the civil rights movement. Won his first Commons seat in 1986.

CHALLENGE To work well with David Trimble, a relationship that has been strained in the past.

SIR REG EMPEY (UUP)

ENTERPRISE/INVESTMENT

A trusted lieutenant of Mr Trimble who has played a key negotiating role. A former Belfast lord mayor, Sir Reg, 51, has a sharp eye for detail.

CHALLENGE Will formulate economic development policy. Responsible for tourism, which was restricted by the Troubles but could now blossom.

MARK DURKAN (SDLP)

FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

Full-time aide to John Hume and possible future leader. Popular party strategist and at 39 the youngest member of the SDLP's front bench.

CHALLENGE Responsible for much of the day-to-day administration. Will look after legal services and law reform as well as rates collection.

PETER ROBINSON (DUP)

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Deputy party leader credited with secularising the party. A caustic critic of the UUP and of nationalists. A 49-year-old former office worker, who won't sit in cabinet meetings with Sinn Fein.

CHALLENGE Responsible for the provision and modernisation of public transport and the road and rail networks.

MARTIN McGUINNESS (SF)

EDUCATION

Regarded by some as embodiment of republican weapons and ballot-box strategy. A butcher's assistant, 49, and former IRA member, often on the run in the 1970s.

CHALLENGE Must decide whether to lose a further 500 school places, which will mean some closure of schools. Future of 11-plus to be decided.

SAM FOSTER (UUP)

ENVIRONMENT

A staunch defender of the RUC calling Chris Patten's recent report "offensive". A health specialist who has in the past urged the Government to help families forced to leave Ireland because of the Troubles.

CHALLENGE Possibly to rationalise the 26 local councils and revalue property for rating purposes.

SEAN FARREN (SDLP)

HIGHER EDUCATION

A fluent Irish-speaker and party stalwart. The 60-year-old lecturer was closely involved in the peace talks and has been critical of both unionists and republicans. A Hume confidant.

CHALLENGE Responsible for employment services, labour relations and the development and training of the workforce.

NIGEL DODDS (DUP)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

A 40-year-old barrister and able DUP politician. A harsh critic of UPP and republicanism. Survived IRA death bid in 1997 on a visit to his disabled son in hospital.

CHALLENGE To reform housing policy and urban renewal. Responsible for social security, child support agencies, community sector and voluntary activity.

MICHAEL McGIMPSEY (UUP)

CULTURE/ARTS/LEISURE

A critic of nationalists' refusal to hand over weapons. Seen as one of the UUP's most affable politicians.

CHALLENGE To boost arts, culture, sport and leisure. Also to safeguard national treasures. Responsible for organising Millennium events and formulating language policy.

BAIRBRE DE BRUN (SF)

HEALTH

She is a 44-year-old teacher with a background in activist politics.CHALLENGE Unpopular rationalisation of acute hospital care. Creation of single maternity unit for Belfast and replacement of four area health boards with a regional health authority. Social services and health of the nation.

BRID RODGERS (SDLP)

AGRICULTURE

Irish-speaker and Catholic civil rights campaigner, aged 62, who is the party's most prominent woman politician. Clashed bitterly with Unionists in the Portadown marching dispute.

CHALLENGE Decisions on whether to support the hill farmers of the Sprerrin mountains in Co Tyrone or Co Down potato growers.