To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the sections into which the Political Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office is divided; and what are their roles. [HL663]

The Political Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office consists of four divisions: Rights, Elections and Legacy; Constitutional Policy and Liaison; Political Liaison and Protocol (including the work of the British Irish Secretariat); and Inquiries and Corporate Services. The Private Office, which supports the work of Ministers in the department, is also managed within the Political Directorate.

The role and objectives of the Political Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office are published in the annual departmental report, which can be found at:

http://www.nio.gov.uk/northern_ireland_office_departmental_report_2009.pdf.

A copy of the departmental report is also available in the Library of the House.