View source for Northern Ireland Office

{{Short description|Ministerial department of the UK Government}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Northern Ireland Office
| type            = Department
| logo            = Northern Ireland Office logo.svg
| logo_width      = 125px
| logo_caption    = 
| seal            = 
| seal_width      = 
| seal_caption    = 
| picture         = 
| formed          = 24 March 1972
| preceding1      = [[Dublin Castle administration in Ireland|Dublin Castle administration]] (1171–1921)<br>[[Home Office]] (1921–1972)<br>[[Prime Minister of Northern Ireland|Office of the Prime Minister]] (1921–1972)<br>[[Governor of Northern Ireland|Office of the Governor]] (1922–1973)
| dissolved       = 
| superseding     = 
| jurisdiction    = [[Government of the United Kingdom]]
| headquarters    = {{tree list}}
*'''Northern Ireland'''
** Erskine House, 20-32 Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 4GF
* '''Westminster'''
** [[Government Offices Great George Street|1 Horse Guards Road]], London, SW1A 2HQ
{{Tree list/end}}
| employees       = 167 (September 2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detini.gov.uk/sep_11_table_5.14.xls |title=Northern Ireland Quarterly Employment Survey Historical Data |publisher=Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment| access-date=28 December 2011}}</ref>
| budget          = £23 million for 2011–12<ref>{{cite book|title=Spending Review 2010|year=2010|publisher=HM Treasury|location=London|url=http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_completereport.pdf|access-date=28 December 2011|page=88|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122101034/http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_completereport.pdf|archive-date=22 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| minister_type   = Secretary of State
| minister1_name  = The Rt. Hon. [[Hilary Benn]] MP
| minister1_pfo   = [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]]
| minister2_name  = [[Matthew Patrick (British politician)|Matthew Patrick]] MP
| minister2_pfo   = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]]
| chief1_name     = Julie Harrison
| chief1_position = [[Permanent secretary (United Kingdom)|Permanent Secretary]]
| chief2_name     = Holly Clark
| chief2_position = Chief Operating Officer
| child1_agency   = 
| website         = {{URL|https://gov.uk/nio}}
| footnotes       = 
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}}
{{Politics of Northern Ireland}}
{{PoliticsUK}}

The '''Northern Ireland Office''' ('''NIO'''; {{langx|ga|Oifig Thuaisceart Éireann}},<ref name=tearma>{{cite web | url = https://www.tearma.ie/Search.aspx?term=Northern+Ireland+Office | title = Northern Ireland Office | work = téarma.ie – Dictionary of Irish Terms | publisher = [[Foras na Gaeilge]] and [[Dublin City University]] | access-date = 18 November 2016}}</ref> [[Ulster Scots dialects|Ulster-Scots]]: ''Norlin Airlann Oaffis'')<ref>[http://www.policeombudsman.org/Publicationsuploads/Ulsterscots1.pdf Tha Owersman fur tha Polis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716235559/http://www.policeombudsman.org/Publicationsuploads/Ulsterscots1.pdf |date=16 July 2012 }} Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.</ref> is a [[Departments of the Government of the United Kingdom|ministerial department]] of the [[Government of the United Kingdom]]. It is responsible for handling [[Northern Ireland]] affairs. The NIO is led by the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] and is based at Erskine House in Belfast City Centre and [[Government Offices Great George Street|1 Horse Guards Road]] in London.

==Responsibilities==
The NIO's role is to "maintain and support" the [[devolution]] settlement resulting from the [[Good Friday Agreement]] and [[St Andrews Agreement]] and the devolution of [[criminal justice]] and policing to the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-ministers-and-responsibilities|title=Government ministers and responsibilities|website=GOV.UK|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
The department has responsibility for:
* [[electoral law]]
* [[human rights]] and [[Equality before the law|equality]]
* [[national security]] in Northern Ireland
* the [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK Government]]'s approach to the legacy of [[the Troubles]]

It also represents Northern Irish interests at UK Government level and the interests of the UK Government in Northern Ireland.<ref>[http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/about-the-nio.htm Northern Ireland Office, About the NIO] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917112740/http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/about-the-nio.htm |date=17 September 2010 }}</ref>

The Northern Ireland Office has a close working relationship with the [[Government of Ireland]] as a co-guarantor of the [[Northern Ireland peace process|peace process]]; this includes the [[British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference]] and its joint secretariat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melaugh|first=Martin|title=British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIC)|url=https://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/conference/|work=Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)|publisher=University of Ulster|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

In the [[Government of Ireland|Irish Government]], the NIO's main counterparts are:
* the [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)|Department of Foreign Affairs]] (on the peace process);<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=334|title=Northern Ireland - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|website=www.dfa.ie|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
* the [[Department of the Taoiseach]] (supporting the role of the [[Taoiseach]] in the peace process);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Department_of_the_Taoiseach/Policy_Sections/Northern_Ireland/|title=Department of the Taoiseach: Northern Ireland|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
* the [[Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration]] (on national security matters and the legacy of [[the Troubles]]);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Terrorism|title=Terrorism|first=The Department of Justice and|last=Equality|website=www.justice.ie|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Northern_Ireland|title=Northern Ireland|first=The Department of Justice and|last=Equality|website=www.justice.ie|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>
* the [[Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage]] (on electoral law).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/|title=Voting - General|first=Ian|last=Stuart-Mills|date=18 December 2015|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>

==History==
After [[Partition of Ireland|partition]] in 1924 the [[Dublin Castle administration in Ireland|Dublin Castle administration]] was largely replaced by the [[Parliament of Northern Ireland]] with the [[Northern Ireland Department of the Home Office]] handling the oversight from London,<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Office|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=1&CATID=150&SearchInit=4&SearchType=6&CATREF=HO#admin|work=National Archives Catalogue|publisher=National Archives|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref> with some extremely important decisions such as sending of [[British Army]] soldiers to Northern Ireland in 1969 being made by the Home Secretary.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melaugh|first=Martin|title=The Deployment of British Troops – 14 August 1969|url=https://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/troops/index.html|work=Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)|publisher=University of Ulster|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>  In March 1972 with [[the Troubles]] worsening and the UK Government losing confidence in the Northern Ireland Government, [[Direct rule over Northern Ireland|direct rule]] from [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] was introduced.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melaugh|first=Martin|title=A Chronology of the Conflict – 1972|url=https://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/chron/ch72.htm|work=Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN)|publisher=University of Ulster|access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

The formation of the NIO put Northern Ireland on the same level as [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]], where the [[Scottish Office]] and [[Welsh Office]] were established in 1885 and 1965 respectively.  The NIO assumed policing and justice powers from the [[Minister of Home Affairs (Northern Ireland)|Ministry of Home Affairs]].  NIO junior ministers were placed in charge of other [[Northern Ireland Civil Service]] departments.

Direct rule was seen as a temporary measure, with a power-sharing devolution preferred as the solution.  Under the [[Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972]], the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]] replaced the [[Governor of Northern Ireland]] and direct rule was annually renewed by a vote in Parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/22/pdfs/ukpga_19720022_en.pdf|title=Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref>

The [[Sunningdale Agreement]] in 1973 resulted in a brief, power-sharing [[Northern Ireland Executive (1974)|Northern Ireland Executive]], which was ended by the [[Ulster Workers' Council strike]] on 28 May 1974.  The [[Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention]] (1975–1976) and [[Northern Ireland Assembly (1982)|Northern Ireland Assembly]] (1982–1986) were unsuccessful in restoring devolved government.  After the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] on 15 November 1985, the UK Government and Irish Government co-operated more closely on security and political matters.

Following the [[Good Friday Agreement]] on 10 April 1998, devolution returned to Northern Ireland on 2 December 1999.  The [[Northern Ireland Executive]] was suspended on 15 October 2002 and direct rule returned until devolution was restored on 8 May 2007.

The devolution of policing and justice powers on 12 April 2010 transferred many of the NIO's previous responsibilities to the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] and its devolved government, the [[Northern Ireland Executive]].  The [[Department of Justice (Northern Ireland)|Department of Justice]] is now responsible for those matters. This transfer of power resulted in a smaller Northern Ireland Office, comparable to the [[Scotland Office]] and [[Wales Office]].

==Ministers==
The NIO ministers are as follows, with cabinet members in bold:<ref>{{cite web|title=Our ministers|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Northern Ireland Office|access-date=1 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/government-and-opposition1/opposition-holding/|title=Her Majesty's Official Opposition|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=17 October 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! width=95x | Minister
! Portrait
! Office
! Portfolio
|-
| {{small|The Rt Hon.}} '''[[Hilary Benn]]''' {{small|MP}}
| [[File:Official portrait of Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP crop 2.jpg|125x125px]]
| [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]]
| Overall responsibility; Political stability and relations with the Northern Ireland Executive; National security and counter-terrorism; Implementation of the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements, including legacy of the past; Representing Northern Ireland in the Cabinet on EU exit, including new economic opportunities; International interest in Northern Ireland, including relations with the Irish government.
|-
| Vacant
|
| [[Minister of State for Northern Ireland]]
|Driving Economic and Domestic Policy; Long-term economic recovery from COVID-19; Promotion of the economy, levelling up and innovation - including City Deals and the Shared Prosperity Fund; Leading the department's work on the most critical constitution and rights issues in NI.
Supporting the Secretary of State in his responsibilities, including: 
Legacy stakeholder engagement; Strengthening and sustaining the Union in Northern Ireland; Vital security casework; Building substantive relationships across sectors and communities; Leading workstreams on New Decade, New Approach Agreement; and the NI Protocol
|-
| '''[[Matthew Patrick (British politician)|Matthew Patrick]]'''
{{small|MP}}
|[[File:Matthew Patrick MP.jpg|125x125px]]
| [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]]
| Supporting the Secretary of State on legacy, New Decade, New Approach and Protocol. Reviewing planning for future political negotiations and developing plans to help achieve greater levels of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. Leading the department’s work on Constitution and Rights such as abortion and ensuring women have access to services. Responsible for legislation and engagement in the House of Lords. Aiding political stability such as reviewing plans for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Building substantive relationships across sectors and communities through engagement.
|-
|}

As [[Attorney General for England and Wales]], [[Richard Hermer|The Lord Hermer]] PC KC is [[Advocate General for Northern Ireland]], advising the [[United Kingdom Government|UK Government]] on Northern Ireland law.

=== Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland ===
{{Main|Secretary of State for Northern Ireland}}
The department is led by the [[Secretary of State for Northern Ireland]].

=== Ministers of State for Northern Ireland ===
{{Main|Minister of State for Northern Ireland}}

=== Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland ===
{{Main|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland}}

=== Permanent Secretary ===
The senior civil servant in the NIO is Julie Harrison, who was appointed in September 2023.

==See also==
* [[Northern Ireland Affairs Committee]]
* [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]
* [[Northern Ireland Executive]]
* [[Department of Justice (Northern Ireland)|Department of Justice]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/northern-ireland-office}}

{{Northern Ireland Office}}
{{Departments of the United Kingdom Government|type=Ministerial|title=Northern Ireland Office}}
{{Devolution in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Northern Ireland Office| ]]
[[Category:1972 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1972]]
[[Category:Ministerial departments of the Government of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Government of Northern Ireland]]