BLAIR NAMES NEW NI MINISTERIAL TEAM

AS part of Tony Blair’s cabinet reshuffle two new ministers have been appointed to the Northern Ireland Office to work under Secretary of State John Reid.

Jane Kennedy MP replaces Adam Ingram with responsibility for Security, Policing and Prisons, while Des Browne replaces political development minister George Howarth with a portfolio covering criminal justice, victims and human rights.

Jane Kennedy was first elected in 1992 as MP for Liverpool Broadgreen. Since 1997 she has represented Liverpool Wavertree. During her political career Ms Kennedy has been Opposition Whip 1995-1997, Assistant Government Whip 1997-1998 as well as a Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury 1998-1999 and more recently Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor’s Department.

Des Browne has been the MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun since 1997 and was previously Parliamentary Private Secretary to the late Donald Dewar MP 1998-1999 and more recently to Adam Ingram MP. He was a former member of Select Committees on Northern Ireland 1997-1998, Public Administration 1999 and Human Rights 2001.

In the cabinet reshuffle announced on Monday night, Mr Ingram is to move to the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking after his meeting with the Prime Minister at Downing Street, Dr Reid said: “I am proud and honoured that I have asked to carry on the work here under a Prime Minister whose commitment to its peace and prosperity is unparalleled. There could be no more worthwhile job for any politician than to be asked to play apart in securing lasting peace and political agreement in Northern Ireland.”

In the aftermath of the dual elections politicians in Northern Ireland now face the task of resolving the outstanding key issues of police reform, demilitarisation and decommissioning.

Pressure to determine the outcome of these issues has intensified following First Minister David Trimble’s decision to resign on July 1 2001 if the IRA have not started to decommission by that date. (AMcE)