The office of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is a junior ministerial position in the Northern Ireland Office of the Government of the United Kingdom. The role has also been known as Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland.
Responsibilities The parliamentary under-secretary of state leads on supporting the secretary of state in their responsibilities, specifically:
Supporting the secretary of state on legacy, New Decade, New Approach and Protocol. Reviewing planning for future political negotiations and developing plans to help achieve greater levels of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. Leading the department’s work on Constitution and Rights such as abortion and ensuring women have access to services. Responsible for legislation and engagement in the House of Lords. Aiding political stability such as reviewing plans for the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Building substantive relationships across sectors and communities through engagement.
List of ministers +Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern IrelandNameImageStart dateEnd datePartyDavid Howell26 March 19725 November 1972ConservativePeter Mills 5 November 19724 March 1974John Ganzoni5 June 1973Jack Donaldson4 March 19745 April 1976LabourDon Concannon27 June 1974James Dunn5 April 19764 May 1979Raymond CarterTom Pendry11 November 1978Philip Goodhart4 May 19795 January 1981ConservativeRodney Elton7 May 197915 September 1981Giles Shaw5 January 1981John Patten5 January 198113 June 1983David MitchellNicholas Scott13 June 198311 September 1986Chris Patten14 June 19832 September 1985Charles Lyell12 April 198425 July 1989Richard Needham3 September 198515 April 1992Peter ViggersJune 198726 July 1989Peter Bottomley4 July 198928 July 1990Roger Bootle-Wilbraham24 July 198928 November 1990Jeremy Hanley3 December 199027 May 1993Arthur Gore, 9th Earl of Arran 22 April 199211 January 1994Michael Ancram27 May 1993Tim Smith6 January 199420 October 1994Jean Denton20 July 19942 May 1997Malcolm Moss25 October 1994Alf Dubs6 May 199731 December 1999LabourGeorge Howarth 29 July 19997 June 2001Des Browne11 June 200113 June 2003Barry Gardiner2 April 200410 May 2005Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children in Northern IrelandJeff Rooker9 May 20056 May 2006LabourMaria Eagle6 May 200628 June 2007Position not in use28 June 200711 May 2015Position not in useParliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern IrelandAndrew Dunlop11 May 201510 June 2017ConservativeNick Bourne14 June 201727 October 2017Chloe Smith14 June 20179 January 2018Ian Duncan27 October 201713 February 2020Robin Walker25 July 201913 February 2020Position not in use13 February 20205 November 2021Position not in useJonathan Caine5 November 20215 July 2024ConservativeFleur Anderson9 July 20247 September 2025LabourMatthew Patrick7 September 202522 July 2026Sarah Owen22 July 2026IncumbentRuth Anderson22 July 2026Incumbent
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