North parties to hold discussions on Stormont ministers

The North's political parties are expected to meet shortly to try to agree how the 10 ministries in the Stormont Executive will be allocated.

The ministries were previously decided on in private by the individual parties and then announced during the first Assembly session.

However, this time around, the parties are planning to agree the various ministers who will be formally appointed on May 8.

The move is a further sign of the rapid progress being made in moves by the DUP and Sinn Féin to enter a power-sharing government together.

Over the weekend, DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness signed a joint letter to Northern Secretary in their roles as First and Deputy First Minister.