MICHAEL MATES tried, without success, to smile as he set off on what

may be his last journey in a ministerial car last night.

Asked how he felt, the forrmer Northern Ireland minister said simply:

''Fine.''

However, his troubled manner betrayed the emotion of a bad day for the

Government.

Asked whether he was going to his home in the country, he said simply:

''I am leaving.''

Mr Mates emerged from his residence at a luxury development in

Pimlico, central London, soon after he had been driven away from the

Northern Ireland Office.

* Mr Mates was in charge of security, finance and personnel and

information services at the Northern Ireland Office and it is believed

Northern ireland Secretary Sir Patrick Mayhew will assume responsibility

for those portfolios until a replacement is named.