The Northern Ireland Office supports the Northern Ireland Secretary in securing a lasting peace, based on the Good Friday Agreement, which fully respects and safeguards the rights and identities of all traditions in Northern Ireland enabling a safe, stable, just, open and tolerant society to thrive and prosper.
While powers are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive, the Secretary of State retains responsibility for constitutional and security issues in Northern Ireland.
These include law and order, political affairs, policing and criminal justice. Victims’ issues are handled by the NIO’s Victims Liaison Unit. The NIO also has responsibility for matters relating to the licensing and legislation of firearms and explosives.
Devolution was suspended in October 2002. Powers previously with the Northern Ireland Executive reverted to the Northern Ireland Office.
These cover policy relating to economic and social matters, agriculture and rural development; culture, arts and leisure; education; enterprise, trade and investment; environment; finance and personnel; health, social services and public safety; higher and further education, training and employment; regional development and social development.
The NIO also has a number of agencies, including the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Compensation Agency for Northern Ireland and Forensic Science Northern Ireland. It also funds two legal offices: the Crown Solicitors Office and the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Here is a list of ministers who work for the Department.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Overall responsibility for the Department
Minister of State
Paul Goggins MP
Responsibilities:
- Criminal Justice
- Security
- Policing
- Prisons
Contact department
Northern Ireland Office
Stormont Castle
Stormont Estate
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3TT
You can contact the Northern Ireland Office, which has offices in Belfast and London, by the following:
London
Northern Ireland Office
11 Millbank
London
SW1P 4PN
Belfast
Northern Ireland Office
Block B
Castle Buildings
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3SG
General Enquiries
Tel: (028) 9052 0700
Textphone: (028) 9052 7668
Press Enquiries Belfast
Tel: (028) 9037 8268
Fax: (028) 9037 8085
Press Enquiries London
Tel: (0207) 210 6518
Fax: (0107) 210 0213
You can email the Northern Ireland Office at info@nio.gov.uk
delicious
digg
facebook
