The d'Hondt system of allocating ministries in the Stormont Assembly is named after a 19th century Belgian lawyer, Victor d'Hondt. Parties are initially ranked according to the number of seats won in the Assembly elections.
The party with the highest number of seats is the first to receive a ministry. Its seat total is divided by two and the party rejoins the queue for further posts.
If it receives a second ministry its original seat total is then divided by three and the party takes its place in the rank to receive a possible third executive post.
The process continues until all ministerial positions have been allocated.
Under the present situation in the North, the UUP would get 3; SDLP 3; SF 2, DUP 2.
