Parties to make committee choices

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The leaders of the four main parties will meet at Stormont later to select committee places at the assembly.

They include the 10 departmental committees as well as a committee examining the role of the first and deputy first ministers.

The committees are supposed to act as watchdogs of the various government departments.

The selection of committee chairmen will be through the d'Hondt formula which is based on party strengths.

DUP leader Ian Paisley has first choice, and it is thought likely he will seize the chairmanship of the education committee.

That way the DUP feel they can "keep watch" on the Sinn Fein education minister.

The party's education spokesman Sammy Wilson seems a likely candidate for the job.

However, the party leaders are not expected to immediately fill the posts they choose.

Second choice

It may also be a day or two before the faces are matched with the jobs. Sinn Fein has the second choice.

It could go for finance, in its own bid to keep an eye on the DUP minister, Peter Robinson.

On Monday, the leaders of the four biggest parties announced how the ministerial portfolios will be shared in the new power-sharing executive.

When it meets on 8 May, Sinn Fein will assume the education ministry - for the second time - along with regional development and agriculture.

The DUP are taking finance, economy, environment and culture.

The Ulster Unionists take health and employment and learning, while the SDLP take social development.