There were no surprises in the SDLP, Sinn Fein and DUP appointments to the Executive. However, the UUP came up with an unexpected name in Mr Sam Foster, from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, who was appointed Minister for the Environment. At 65, he is the oldest member of the Executive.
The other two UUP positions on the Executive went to Sir Reg Empey, who became Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Mr Michael McGimpsey, a Belfast-based Trimble loyalist who was appointed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Mr John Taylor, the UUP deputy minister, explained afterwards that he had too many other political commitments to be in a position to accept a ministry.
The Executive, which will formally take office at midnight tomorrow, comprises unionist, nationalist and republican politicians.
In addition to the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, the Executive comprises three Ulster Unionist Party and SDLP ministers, and two DUP and Sinn Fein ministers.
Among those ratified as ministers was Sinn Fein's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, who accepted the Education portfolio. Ms Bairbre de Brun, another one of Sinn Fein's negotiators, was appointed Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
The appointments procedure moved reasonably smoothly, although after Mr McGuinness was appointed Mr Cedric Wilson, leader of the Northern Ireland Unionist Party, walked out of the Assembly chamber in protest. "I can't sit through this obscenity," he said.
When the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, accepted his department there was one cry of "hypocrite" which appeared to come from the UUP benches.
During the appointments, the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, complained of some disruption from the public gallery. He described as "latchycoes" those who hissed or coughed when the Sinn Fein appointments were confirmed.
The two DUP ministers appointed, Mr Robinson and Mr Nigel Dodds, accepted their posts although they have consistently stated they would not co-operate with Sinn Fein in the Executive. Mr Robinson became Minister for Regional Development, while Mr Dodds was appointed Minister for Social Development.
Mr Robinson, in accepting office, said he had consistently opposed the Belfast Agreement because he believed it was designed to absorb Northern Ireland into a united Ireland.
"As a convinced unionist I shall use every ounce of the influence I possess to frustrate and thwart Northern Ireland being conveyed into a united Ireland.
"It remains for me a fundamental principle that only those who are committed to use exclusively peaceful and democratic means are suitable partners in government. The call of my conscience and the commitments I have given to the people of Northern Ireland are unalterable."
He added that he would be scrupulously fair in exercising his responsibilities as minister. "The religious conviction or political opinion of any person or group will form no part of the judgement I will make on any matter. I shall work for everyone in this community, seeking for them a better deal."
The first minister appointed yesterday was Sir Reg Empey at 5.40 p.m. At approximately 6.22 p.m., the last minister appointed, Ms Brid Rodgers of the SDLP, accepted the Agriculture portfolio.
Mr Mark Durkan, an SDLP Assembly member from Derry, was awarded the plum Department of Finance and Personnel. The third SDLP portfolio went to Mr Sean Farren, a University of Ulster lecturer, who takes over the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment.