About the NIO
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was created in 1972 after the Northern Ireland Government was dissolved in the face of a worsening security situation.
The establishment of direct rule from London saw William Whitelaw appointed the first Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and to date, 16 MPs have served in this post over the past three decades.
The role of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is to support the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in securing a lasting peace, based on the Agreement in which the rights and identities of all traditions are fully respected and safeguarded and in which a safe, stable, just, open and tolerant society can thrive and prosper.
Shaun Woodward MP heads the current NIO Ministerial team, which consists of Paul Goggins MP, Minster of State.
The NIO currently has responsibility for Northern Ireland’s constitutional and security issues, in particular, law and order, political affairs, policing and criminal justice. It also has responsibility for matters relating to the licensing and legislation concerning firearms and explosives, including fireworks.
Economic and social matters are the responsibility of locally elected Northern Ireland ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive. The Government is committed to completing the process of devolution by enabling the smooth transfer of policing and justice powers to the devolved administration when the Assembly decides the time is right.
The NIO has a number of agencies; the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Compensation Agency for Northern Ireland, Forensic Science Northern Ireland and Youth Justice Agency.
It also funds two legal offices – the Crown Solicitors Office and the Public Prosecution Service.
The official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is Hillsborough Castle.
