This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Assembly
Acts: Acts Members: 1998 - 2003 - 2007 Elections: 1998 - 2003 - 2007 Presiding Officer
Northern Ireland Executive
First Minister: Ian Paisley Deputy First Minister: Martin McGuinness Departments and agencies
Local Government Courts of Northern Ireland
United Kingdom Parliament
Committees: Affairs - Grand Members: Commons - Lords Elections: 2005
United Kingdom Government
Northern Ireland Office Secretary of State • Direct Rule
British-Irish Council Electoral Commission North/South Ministerial Council
Belfast Agreement (1998) St Andrews Agreement (2006)
Elections in Northern Ireland
Constituencies • Political parties
The Northern Ireland Office (or NIO) is a department of HM Government of the United Kingdom, responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. The NIO is led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, currently Shaun Woodward supported by Paul Goggins MP. The NIO, based at Stormont, has responsibility for the areas which have not been devolved to the the direction and control of the Northern Ireland Assembly. These include law and order, political affairs, policing and criminal justice.
If devolution is suspended then the rule of Northern Ireland through the NIO in lieu of the Northern Ireland Executive is referred to as direct rule.

Executive agencies

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Executive
Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland, funded by the Northern Ireland Office