Northern Ireland Office

The NIO is a ministerial department within the British government. The Secretary of State has a seat at the British Cabinet. The NIO was responsible for the administration of 'Direct Rule' in Northern Ireland between 30 March 1972 and 2 December 1999. The NIO also takes over the responsibilities of government during any suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has two divisions one in Belfast at Stormont and the other in London. The responsibilities of the NIO include: political, constitutional and security matters. The NIO is headed by a Permanent Secretary but is responsible to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. (See the list of previous Secretaries of State.) In the absence of a devolved assembly in the region the NIO was also responsible for the operation of the ten (previously six) Northern Ireland Departments. The NIO is supported by three agencies and public bodies: Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and Parades Commission for Northern Ireland.