Suspension of Devolved Government
Roles of Northern Ireland Office Ministers (2002)

Following the suspension of devolved government in Northern Ireland John Reid, then Secretary of State, announced on Tuesday 15 October 2002 the new ministerial portfolios at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). [There was a government reshuffle on 5 April 2004 and Paul Murphy, then Secretary of State, announced the new ministerial portfolios at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).]

John Reid MP, Secretary of State, continues to retain overall control of:

• policing;
• security policy;
• prisons;
• criminal justice;
• international relations;
• taxation;
• national insurance;
• regulation of financial services; and
• regulation of telecommunications and broadcasting.

Jane Kennedy MP, Minister of State, will retain her current NIO responsibilities of:

• security;
  
• policing;
  
• prions; and
  
• organised crime task force
  

• The Department of Education (DE); and
  
• The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL).
  

Des Browne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, will retain his current NIO responsibilities of:

• victims;
  
• criminal justice;
  
• human rights;
  
• community relations;
  
• equality issues; and
  
• compensation agency
  

• The Department for Social Development (DSD);
  
• The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS); and
  
• Equality, Human Rights and Community Relations.
  

Ian Pearson MP, newly appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, will assume responsibility for:

• The Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP);
  
• The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI);
  
• The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD); and
  
• The Economic Policy Unit and Europe.
  

• The Department of the Environment (DOE);
  
• The Department for Regional Development (DRD); and
  
• The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL).