Cabinet Office

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Northern Ireland Office

The role of the Northern Ireland Office is to support the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in securing a lasting peace, based upon the Good Friday Agreement, in which the rights and identities of all traditions in Northern Ireland are fully respected and safeguarded and in which a safe, stable, just, open and tolerant society can thrive and prosper.

Contact information

• Address:
  • London: 11 Millbank, London, SW1P 4PN
  • Belfast: Block B, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3SG
• Website: www.nio.gov.uk
• Telephone:
• London: 020 7210 3000
• Belfast: 028 9052 0700
• Fax:
• London: 020 7210 0249
• Belfast: 028 9052 8195

Parliamentary Branch

• Telephone: 020 7210 6550/6551/6552
• Email: parly.section@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

Correspondence Unit

• Telephone: 020 7210 6464
• Fax: 020 7210 0246
• Email: kathryn.ravalde@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

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Ministers

Peter Hain

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The Rt Hon Peter Hain MP

Responsibilities

The Secretary of State has responsibility for the overall conduct of the Northern Ireland political process, and for matters such as policing, security policy, prisons, criminal justice, international relations, for which the Government remains responsible. The Secretary of State represents Northern Ireland's interests in the Cabinet.

Please see Peter Hain's additional responsibilities as Secretary of State for Wales.

Private Office to Peter Hain

David Hanson

Minister of State: David Hanson MP

Responsibilities

• Political development and criminal justice issues in the NIO and for the Department for Social Development (DSD)
• The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM),
• The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).
• He has responsibility for the Maze development and has special responsibility for victims.

Private Office to David Hanson

Paul Goggins

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: Paul Goggins MP

Responsibilities

• Security and policing, and prisons
• He is also responsible for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS).

Private Office to Paul Goggins

Maria Eagle

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: Maria Eagle MP

Responsibilities

• The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL)
• The Departments of Education (DE),
• Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI)
• Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)
• She is also Minister for Children.

Private Office to Maria Eagle

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David Cairns

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State: David Cairns MP

Responsible for the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Regional Development (DRD) and Environment (DoE). 

Private Office to David Cairns

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Private Office

Private Office to Peter Hain

• Telephone: 020 7210 6462 (London) 028 9052 8111 (Belfast)
• Fax: 020 7210 0246 (London) 028 9052 8201 (Belfast)
• Email: PrivateOfficeLondon@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (London) PrivateOfficeBelfast@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (Belfast)

Private Office to David Hanson

• Telephone: 020 7210 6488 (London) 028 9137 8183 (Belfast)
• Fax: 020 7210 6449 (London) 028 9137 8188 (Belfast)
• Email: jmpo.london@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (London) jmpo.belfast@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (Belfast)

Private Office to Paul Goggins

• Telephone: 020 7210 6498
• Fax: 020 7210 6449
• Email:jmpo.london@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (London) jmpo.belfast@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk (Belfast)

Private Office to Maria Eagle

• Telephone: 020 7210 0284 (London) 028 905 22743 (Belfast)
• Fax: 020 7210 0846 (London) 028 905 22822 (Belfast)
• Email: sian.mccleave@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

Private Office to David Cairns

• Telephone: 020 7210 6500 (London) 028 905 29183 (Belfast)
• Fax: 020 7210 0846 (London) 028 905 29181 (Belfast)
• Email: alison.barnett@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

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Spokesperson

• The Lord Rooker of Perry Bar
• The Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Executive Agencies

Compensation Agency

The Compensation Agency administers the criminal injuries and criminal damage compensation scheme in Northern Ireland and pays compensation under the Terrorism Act 2000 legislation.

• Chief Executive: Anne McCleary
• Responsible Minister: Minister of State
• Address: Royston House, 34 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6FD
• Website: www.compensationni.gov.uk
• Telephone: 028 9024 9944
• Fax: 028 9024 6956
• Email: comp-agency@nics.gov.uk

Forensic Science Agency Northern Ireland

The Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland provides scientific advice and support to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Justice System.

• Chief Executive: Michael Walker
• Responsible Minister: Minister of State
• Address: 151 Belfast Road, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, BT38 8PL
• Website: www.fsni.gov.uk
• Telephone: 028 9036 1888
• Fax: 028 9036 1900
• Email: michael.walker@fsni.gov.uk or forensic.science@fsni.gov.uk

Northern Ireland Prison Service

The Northern Ireland Prison Service provides prison services in Northern Ireland.

• Chief Executive: Robin Masefield CBE
• Responsible Minister: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
• Address: Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SU
• Website: www.niprisonservice.gov.uk
• Telephone: 028 9052 5065
• Fax: 028 9052 5284
• Email: robin.masefield@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk or info@niprisonservice.gov.uk

Youth Justice Agency

The principal aim of the Youth Justice system is to protect the public by preventing offending by children. The Agency will contribute to the delivery of this aim through the provision of community based services, youth conferencing and secure custody.

• Chief Executive: Dr Bill Lockhart OBE
• Responsible Minister: Minister of State
• Address: Corporate Headquarters, 41-43 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DY
• Website: www.youthjusticeagencyni.gov.uk
• Telephone: 028 9031 6400
• Fax: 028 9031 6402/3
• Email: bill.lockhart@nio.x.gov.uk or info@yjani.gov.uk

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