The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is an arm of the United Kingdom government, responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. The NIO is led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, currently Paul Murphy. The NIO, based at Stormont, currently has all responsibility for the direction and control of the Northern Ireland Departments. If and when the power is again devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly the Northern Ireland Executive will assume these responsibilites. The NIO maintains control over various contentious functions whether the Assembly sits or not.

Present rule of Northern Ireland through the NIO in lieu of the Northern Ireland Executive is referred to as direct rule.

Ministers (and responsibilities where applicable) as of 7th November 2004

• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - The Rt Hon. Paul Murphy MP
  • Overall direction and control of the department.
• Minister of State - The Rt. Hon. John Spellar MP
  • Political Development
  • Criminal Justice, Human Rights and Equality
  • Department for Social Development
  • Department for Regional Development
  • Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Part)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Ian Pearson MP
  • Security and Policing
  • Prisons
  • Assets Recovery Agency and Organised Crime Task Force
  • Review of Public Administration
  • Europe (Euro Preparations Committee)
  • Department of Finance and Personnel
  • Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Part)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Angela Smith MP
  • Victims and Reconciliation
  • Department of the Environment
  • Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
  • Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State - Barry Gardiner MP
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment
  • Department of Education
  • Department for Employment and Learning

See also

• Northern Ireland Assembly
• Northern Ireland Executive