Chair welcomes new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Following the announcement earlier today that Theresa Villiers MP will be taking over from Owen Paterson MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Laurence Robertson MP, Chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, has issued the following statement:

"I should like to pay tribute to the out-going Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson. I have worked closely with Owen over many years and know that he is a man of action, who has made things happen for the better in Northern Ireland. He has always had the best interests of the Province at heart and has demonstrated enormous energy in tackling the issues there.
 

I also welcome Theresa Villiers to the position of Secretary of State. When Theresa appeared before the Committee just before the Summer recess, to give evidence on our inquiry into An air transport strategy for Northern Ireland, she showed herself to be on top of all the issues and I very much look forward to working with her in her new and important role."