Woodward looks ahead to next step

Shaun Woodward has previous experience as a NIO minister

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's priority for Northern Ireland is the devolution of policing and justice, new NI Secretary Shaun Woodward has said.

At last October's St Andrew's talks, May 2008 was set as the target date for the transfer of these powers.

Mr Woodward said Mr Brown had been closely involved with Northern Ireland affairs as chancellor for many years.

"It means now he has the opportunity to engage himself in making sure the next stage of devolution happens," he said.

Mr Woodward held the security, health and regional development portfolios at the Northern Ireland Office until a government reshuffle last year which saw him becoming the UK's film minister.

He told the BBC's Politics Show it was "remarkable" the progress made in the short time since he left.

"Everything I felt optimistically may happen a year or two ago has happened - the pace of change and the way local politicians across the board have made things work is incredibly impressive."

He added: "I think that completing this with the next stage of devolution is the logical next step for everybody, it's what everyone has signed up to.

"My job is to serve those politicians, serve that community and get the job done."