NINE MHKs who have taken up positions as government ministers have been speaking about the challenge ahead.

On Friday the Chief Minister, Ramsey MHK Allan Bell, revealed who he had chosen to make up his Council of Ministers.

The line up includes five MHKs who have retained their role as ministers and four new faces.

One of the biggest surprises of the new look Council of Ministers was perhaps the election of Onchan MHK Peter Karran who is now in charge of the Department of Education and Children.

Mr Karran, the leader of the Liberal Vannin Party and a long-term outspoken critic of the government, said he had taken up the position because of the "unprecedented problems" the Island is facing.

He explained: "When I went into politics the place was a poverty stricken little hole – we are not going to go back to that.

"We need good governance and we need to work together as a team. It's early days and we will work on the basis that we are here for the national good.

"I am prepared to let bygones be bygones. The Chief Minister has asked me to join his team - it's more important about the Isle of Man than it’s important about me."

Ayre MHK Eddie Teare, who previously headed up the Department for Education and Children, is now in charge of the Treasury.

He said: "We recognise there will be challenging times ahead but I've been through many challenges in the past and I am confident that we can get through them again."

John Shimmin, a Douglas West MHK, has moved from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to the Department for Economic Development.

Speaking about the move Mr Shimmin said: "I'm really excited by the challenge given to me by the Chief Minister. It is probably the most important and exciting department to be in – the powerhouse of actually creating the economy.

"We are not starting from day one. There is an awful lot of work which has been going on behind the scenes for the last 12 months. We are in a position where we are likely to hit the ground running quite quickly because the Chief Minister has already put into place many new initiatives. My job now is to try and build even stronger relationships with the business community."

Rushen MHK Phil Gawne has taken Mr Shimmin’s place at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture – a position he has held before.

He said: "I think it's fantastic that the Chief Minister has moved so quickly to pull together such a wide range of, I hope, talents for the future of the Isle of Man.

"It (DEFA) is an area very much close to my heart and I think, certainly as we proceed through this century, environment and food politics will be seen to be increasingly more important and indeed essential."

David Cretney has been moved from the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure to the Department of Infrastructure.

The South Douglas MHK said: "I'm just delighted that Allan had the confidence to reappoint me as a Minister. It's a big challenge and I am looking forward to it."

In his first ministerial position Peel MHK Tim Crookall will take the reigns at the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.

He said: "I'm obviously delighted to accept and take over from David and am looking forward to the challenge."

Also new to the Council of Ministers is Rushen MHK Juan Watterson who takes up the position of Home Affairs Minister.

Speaking about his appointment Mr Watterson said: "It's all come as a bit of a shock!

"It's a good dynamic team and I look forward to working with them for the next five years. I'm always up for a challenge – I'm looking forward to it. It's an area that is going to interest me."

Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw will serve as Minister for the Department of Social Care – despite expressing reservations over this department in his recent election manifesto.

Mr Robertshaw, whose ideas included getting rid of the department, said: "What better way than to work from the inside to establish a direction and that's what I intend to do."

Glenfaba MHK David Anderson is the only minister to stay in position and will continue to head up the Department of Health.

He said: "It's a big challenge but I am up for it."

Also see: Council of Ministers reflects "a government of all the talents"