Northern Ireland Office

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was established in 1972 with the dissolution of the Northern Ireland Government and the onset of direct rule from London amidst a worsening security situation.

On 12 April 2010, the NIO transferred responsibility for policing and criminal justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. It remains responsible for overseeing the Northern Ireland devolution settlement and representing Northern Ireland interests at UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland. The department also has responsibility for national security in respect of Northern Ireland as well as human rights, elections, legacy issues (including current ongoing public inquiries).

People

List of Secretaries of State

• William Whitelaw March 1972 - November 1973
• Francis Pym November 1973 - February 1974
• Merlyn Rees March 1974 - September 1976
• Roy Mason September 1976 - May 1979
• Humphrey Atkins May 1979 - September 1981
• James Prior September 1981 - September 1984
• Douglas Hurd September 1984 - September 1985
• Tom King September 1985 - July 1989
• Peter Brooke July 1989 - April 1992
• Patrick Mayhew April 1992 - May 1997
• Mo Mowlam May 1997 - Oct 1999
• Peter Mandelson October 1999 - January 2001
• John Reid January 2001 - 24 October 2002
• Paul Murphy October 2002 - May 2005
• Peter Hain May 2005 - June 2007
• Shaun Woodward June 2007 - May 2010
• Owen Paterson May 2010-September 2012
• Theresa Villiers September 2012-

List of Permanent Secretaries

• Sir William Neild 1972-1973
• Sir Frank Cooper 1973-1976
• Sir Brian Cubbon 1976-1979
• Sir Kenneth Stowe 1979-1981
• Sir Philip Woodfield 1981-1983
• Sir Robert Andrew 1984-1987
• Sir John Blelloch 1988-1990
• Sir John Chilcot 1990-1997
• Sir Joseph Pilling 1997-2005
• Sir Jonathan Phillips 2005-

Political directors of the NIO

• Quentin Thomas 1991-98
• Bill Jeffrey 1998-2002
• Jonathan Phillips c.2002-05
• Chris Maccabe c.2002-08

Associate Political Director

• William Fittall 2000-02
• David Cooke 2002-04

Head of the Constitutional and Political Division

• David Hill 1989-93
• David Hill 1995-99

Departments, Agencies and NDPBs

NIO departments and divisions

Propaganda organisations

• Northern Ireland Information Service

Agencies

The NIO has five Agencies:

• Northern Ireland Prison Service: The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice responsible for providing prison services in Northern Ireland. By working with prisoners and stakeholder organisations it also aims to reduce levels of re-offending.
• Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service: The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice. It provides administrative support to the Northern Ireland courts and tribunals, and to the Judiciary; enforce civil court judgements through the Enforcement of Judgements Office and sponsors the work of the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission.
• Compensation Agency: The Compensation Agency (CA) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice responsible for supporting the victims of crime, either by personal injury or criminal damage, by ensuring that they are appropriately compensated in accordance with relevant statutory schemes.
• Forensic Science Agency: The Forensic Science Agency (FSNI) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice responsible for the provision of effective scientific advance and support to enhance the delivery of justice.
• Youth Justice Agency : The Youth Justice Agency (YJA) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice responsible for preventing offending by children and young people through delivery of a range of community based, court ordered and diversionary interventions, youth conferencing and the provision of custody where necessary.

NDPBs

The NIO sponsors a number of Non-Departmental Public Bodies/bodies affiliated with policing and justice.

• Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland (BCNI) Advisory NDPB Address Forestview, Purdy's Lane, Newtownbreda, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT8 7AR Tel 028 9069 4800 Fax 028 9069 4810 Multiple Bodies 0 Email bcni@belfast.org Regulatory Function: No Website: http://www.boundarycommission.org.uk Terms Of Reference: To keep under review the names, numbers and boundaries of the parliamentary constituencies into which Northern Ireland is divided and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State. Notes: This body was established in 1986. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009: Chair The Rt Hon M Martin MP Remuneration 0 Chief Exec/Secretary Lee Hegarty Remuneration 0 Civil Servant Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests. Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £143.2 Total Gross Expenditure £143.2 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 0 Chair Ministerial - Chair Non-Ministerial 1M EX-O Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial 1M EX-O Member Ministerial 1M P Member Non-Ministerial
• Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI)

Executive NDPB Address 6/7 Floor, 14 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT2 7BA Tel 02890 258 000 Fax 028 9025 8033 Multiple Bodies 0 Email info@cjini.org Regulatory Function No Website www.cjini.org Terms Of Reference To inspect or ensure the inspection of all aspects of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, including the courts. Notes This body was established in October 2004. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr K Chivers – retired August 2008 Dr Michael Maguire – appointed 01/09/08 Remuneration £110,000 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Mr B McGuigan Remuneration £67,787 per annum Public Meetings Yes Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2008 Last Review Completed June 2008 (Light Touch Review) Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £1,463,000 Total Gross Expenditure £1,417,812 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 15 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial - Member Non-Ministerial -

• Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI)

Executive NDPB Address Equality House, 7-9 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT2 7DP Tel 028 9050 0600 Fax 028 9033 1544 Multiple Bodies 0 Email information@equalityni.org Regulatory Function Yes Website www.equalityni.org Terms Of Reference To promote respect for diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination and achieve equality of opportunity for all. Notes This body was established in October 1999.. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr R Collins Remuneration £75,749 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Ms E Collins Remuneration £73,252 per annum £10K bonus not paid until this year. Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA NI Annual Report 2008 Last Review 2005 Audit Arrangements NIAO Gov't Funding £7226,000 Total Gross Expenditure £7,385,590 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 131 Chair Ministerial 1M Paid Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial 1F Paid Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 9M 5F Paid Member Non-Ministerial -

• Independent Assessor for Police Service NI Recruitment

Vetting Advisory NDPB Address c/o Policing Division, Room A4.16, Block A, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT4 3SB Tel (028) 9052 3458 Fax (028) 9052 0063 Multiple Bodies 0 Email clare.brady@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk Regulatory Function No Website - Terms Of Reference To make determinations on the merits of appeals from applicants who have been turned down by the vetting panel for the Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment. Notes This body was established in May 2001. Remuneration is the sole cost of this office; in addition to annual salary, the Independent Assessor receives £859 per day (average of 20 days per year). Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Campbell Remuneration £11,000 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary - Remuneration 0 Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests No Ombudsman - Annual Report - Last Review - Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £0 Total Gross Expenditure £0 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 0 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial - Member Non-Ministerial -

• Independent Monitoring Board (IMB)

Independent Monitoring Boards Address 22nd Floor, Windsor House, Bedford Street, Belfast. Co Antrim BT2 7FT Tel 028 90443998 Fax 028 90443993 Multiple Bodies 3 Email info@imb-ni.org.uk Regulatory Function No Website www.imb-ni.org.uk/ Terms Of Reference To visit prisons and the Young Offenders' Centre regularly and report to the Secretary of State on the conditions of imprisonment and the treatment of prisoners. Notes These bodies were established in October 2005; they were previously known as Boards of Visitors, and had been in existence since approximately 1900. The annual report is available at www.niprisonservice.gov.uk Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Multiple Remuneration 0 Chief Exec/Secretary - Remuneration 0 Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests No Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2008 Last Review - Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £110,000 Total Gross Expenditure £196,000 OCPA Regulated No Staff Employed 0 Chair Ministerial 1M 2F U Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial 3M U Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 16M 17F U Member Non-Ministerial -

• Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC)

Executive NDPB Address Temple Court, 39 North Street, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT1 1NA Tel 028 9024 3987 Fax 028 9024 7844 Multiple Bodies 0 Email information@nihrc.org Regulatory Function Yes Website www.nihrc.org Terms Of Reference To promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland. Notes This body was established in March 1999 Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Prof M McWilliams Remuneration £72,021 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Ms P O’Neill Remuneration £57,503 per annum Public Meetings No Public Minutes Yes Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2007 Last Review - Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £1,744,000 Total Gross Expenditure £1,744,000 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 24.5 Chair Ministerial 1F P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 6M 3F P Member Non-Ministerial -

• Northern Ireland Law Commission (NILC)

Advisory NDPB Address 8th Floor, Linum Chambers, 2 Bedford Square, Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7ES Tel 028 9054 4860 Fax Multiple Bodies 0 Email info@nilawcommission.gov.uk Regulatory Function No Website http://www.nilawcommission.gov.uk Terms Of Reference To keep under review the civil and criminal law of Northern Ireland with a view to its modernisation. Notes This body was established in April 2007. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr Justice Morgan Remuneration 0 Chief Exec/Secretary Ms Judena Goldring Remuneration In the band £75k to £80k Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman Annual Report Last Review - Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £0 Total Gross Expenditure £0 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 12.6 FTE Chair Ministerial 1M U Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 4M P Member Non-Ministerial -

• Northern Ireland Police Fund (NIPF)

Executive NDPB Address Maryfield Complex, 100 Belfast Road, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 9QY Tel (028) 9039 3556 Fax (028) 9039 3555 Multiple Bodies 0 Email admin@nipolicefund.org Regulatory Function No Website www.nipolicefund.org Terms Of Reference To offer assistance and support to injured police officers, injured retired officers and their families arising as a direct result of terrorism in Northern Ireland. Notes This body was established in November 2001. A review is planned for 2009/10. All appointments are non-Ministerial. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr D McClurg Remuneration £6k per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Mr C Ashe Remuneration 0 Civil Servant Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2007/2008 Last Review 2004 Audit Arrangements Moore Stephens & BDO Stoy Hayward Gov’t Funding £1,800,000 Total Gross Expenditure £1,689,672 OCPA Regulated: No Staff Employed 4 Chair Ministerial - Chair Non-Ministerial 1MU Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial - Member Non-Ministerial 9M 3F U

• Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB)

Executive NDPB Address Waterside Tower, 31 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Laganside, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT1 3BG Tel 028 9040 8500 Fax 028 9040 8525 Multiple Bodies 0 Email information@nipolicingboard.org.uk Regulatory Function No Website http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk Terms Of Reference The overriding purpose is to hold the Chief Constable to account for the service delivered by him and his staff. Notes This body was established in November 2001. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr Barry Gilligan Remuneration £58,606 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Mr A Donaldson Remuneration £106,000 per annum Public Meetings Yes Public Minutes Yes Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2008 Last Review - Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £8,072,567 Total Gross Expenditure £8,125,077 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 59 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial 1M P Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 5M 2F P Member Non-Ministerial -

• Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI)

Executive NDPB Address New Cathedral Buildings, St Anne’s Square, 11 Church Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT1 1PG Tel 028 9082 8600 Fax 028 9082 8615 Multiple Bodies 0 Email info@policeombudsman.org Regulatory Function Yes Website www.policeombudsman.org Terms Of Reference To provide an efficient, effective, independent police complaints system that has the confidence of the people and the police of Northern Ireland. Notes This body was established in November 2000. The Chief Executive receives between £85k and £90k per annum. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr A Hutchinson Remuneration £126,400 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary Mr S D Pollock OBE Remuneration 0 Public Meetings Yes Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman Secretary of State for NI adjudicates Annual Report 2008-2009 Last Review 2007 Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £9,737,000 Total Gross Expenditure £9,150,400 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 151 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial - Member Non-Ministerial -

• Parades Commission for Northern Ireland (PCNI)

Executive NDPB Address Windsor House, Bedford Street, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT2 7EL Tel (028) 9089 5900 Fax (028) 9032 2988 Multiple Bodies 0 Email info@paradescommissionni.org Regulatory Function Yes Website http://www.paradescommission.org Terms Of Reference To resolve conflicts over parades in Northern Ireland through facilitating mediation and, where necessary, receiving evidence and providing legally enforceable determinations as to the routes of parades and the conduct of marchers, and the location and conduct of those who seek to protest against them. Notes This body was established in February 1997 Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr R Poole Remuneration £55,466 Chief Exec/Secretary Mr R Pedlow Remuneration 0 Civil Servant Public Meetings Yes Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2008 Last Review 2003 Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £1,038,000 Total Gross Expenditure £1,051,000 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 11 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 1M 5F P Member Non-Ministerial -

• Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI)

Executive NDPB Address 80-90 North Street, Belfast, Co Antrim, BT1 1LD Tel 028 9026 2400 Fax 028 9026 2436 Multiple Bodies 0 Email info@pbni.org.uk Regulatory Function No Website www.pbni.org.uk Terms Of Reference The aim of PBNI is to help reduce crime (and the harm it does). Notes This body was established in December 1982. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr R Spence Remuneration £33,010 per annum Chief Exec/Secretary - Remuneration - Public Meetings No Public Minutes Yes Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2009 Last Review 2004 Audit Arrangements NAO Gov't Funding £18,570,229 Total Gross Expenditure £18,866,424 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 365 Chair Ministerial 1M P Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial 1F P Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 8M 3F P Member Non-Ministerial -

• Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation

(RUCGCF) Executive NDPB Address RUC GC Foundation, Brooklyn, 65 Knock Road, Belfast, Co. Down, BT5 6LE Tel (028) 9070 0116 Fax (028) 9056 1516 Multiple Bodies 0 Email rucgcfoundation@nics.gov.uk Regulatory Function No Website www.rucgcfoundation.org Terms Of Reference To mark the sacrifices and honour the achievements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Notes This body was established in November 2001. A review is planned for 2009/10. Public Bodies Statistics 2008-2009 Chair Mr J McDonald CBE LVO JP DL Remuneration 0 Chief Exec/Secretary - Remuneration 0 Public Meetings No Public Minutes No Register Of Interests Yes Ombudsman PCA Annual Report 2007/2008 Last Review - Audit Arrangements ASM Howarth Gov't Funding £150,000 Total Gross Expenditure £222,042 OCPA Regulated Yes Staff Employed 2 Chair Ministerial 1M U Chair Non-Ministerial - Deputy Ministerial - Deputy Non-Ministerial - Member Ministerial 2M 3F U Member Non-Ministerial -

• Strategic Review of Parading Ad Hoc Advisory Body Date Established 18 April 2007 Date Reported/Due to Report Report Details Interim consultative report published on

29 April 2008. Notes The Terms of Reference of the Strategic Review of Parading were announced on 2 February 2007. The appointments of all members of the Parading Commission are due to expire on 31 December 2009 and their future, and that of the Commission, is closely linked to the Strategic Review of Parading. The Strategic Review of Parades Body (SRPB), chaired by Lord Ashdown, aim to find a long term, settled, cross-community view on parading. It has been examining the issue of parading for Northern Ireland, in terms of its social, economic and cultural implications. The consultation on the SRPB’s interim report ended on 31 August 2008. It is anticipated that the issue of parading in Northern Ireland will not devolve immediately with the other policing and security issues. This will allow time for the SRPB to publish their final report and legislation, giving effect to their proposals, to be introduced. Appointments Summary: Ministers 0 Civil Servants 0 Wider Public Servants 1 Voluntary/ Charity Sector 0 Private Sector 6. Chair: LORD ASHDOWN OF NORTON-SUB-HAMPDON GCMG

• The Consultative Group on the Past Ad Hoc Advisory Body - Date Established 22 June 2007 Final Report 28 January

2009 Report Details Available on http://www.cgpni.org Date Wound Up Feb 2009. The Terms of Reference of The Consultative Group on the Past are to consult across the community on how Northern Ireland society can best approach the legacy of the events of the past 40 years; and to make recommendations, as appropriate, on any steps that might be taken to support Northern Ireland society in building a shared future that is not overshadowed by the events of the past. Appointments Summary: Ministers 0 Civil Servants 0 Wider Public Servants 2 Voluntary/ Charity Sector 3 Private Sector 3. Chair: Lord Eames and Mr Denis Bradley

Historical Structure

A September 1985 briefing for the Northern Ireland Secretary set out the following structure of the Northern Ireland Office:

Command of the Deputy Under Secretary Belfast (DUS(B)):

• Law and Order Division (Belfast) (LOB)
• Police Division (Belfast) (POB)
• Prisons Divisions (Belfast) (PRB 1 to 4)
• Criminal Injuries and Juveniles Division
• Criminal Justice Division
• Forensic Science Division
• The Police Authority for Northern Ireland, the Probation Board and the offices of the Crown Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions were also related to this command.

Command of the Deputy Under Secretary London (DUS (L))

• Security and International Division (London) (SIL)
• Constitutional and Political Division (London) (CPL)
• Political Affairs Division (Belfast) (PAB)
• Economic and Social Division London (ESL)
• Information Services London

The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (HOCS), who was also Second Permanent Under Secretary of the NIO, and the staff of the Central Secretariat co-ordinated the policies o£ the NI Departments, where necessary through the Policy Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) comprising of NI Permanent Secretaries under the Chairmanship of HOCS, or through ad hoc interdepartmental meetings.

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Finance and Personnel
• Department of Economic Development
• Department of Education
• Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland
• Department of Health and Social Services