The New Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, pledged his "total commitment" to advancing the peace process as he arrived at Castle Buildings, Stormont, yesterday to take up his position. He said he came with "no illusions" as to the importance of the post.
The former Scottish Secretary acknowledged that implementation of the Belfast Agreement had reached a "critical stage".
"One thing that no one should be in any doubt, and that is my utter commitment to making the Good Friday agreement and the transition from conflict to peace work," said Dr Reid.
His arrival came against the backdrop of continuing negotiations between British and Irish government officials. Efforts were intensifying to overcome the impasse over demilitarisation, policing and putting arms beyond use.
Dr Reid yesterday met the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and the GOC of the British forces in the North, Lieut Col Alistair Irwin, who briefed him on the security situation.
It is understood that Dr Reid may meet delegations from some of the North's political parties today.
He will be fully briefed on the process over the weekend and will return to the North on Monday.
He said he had a "passing knowledge" of the circumstances and history of Northern Ireland. "I am modest enough to know how much I do not know and the first part of my task and my job is to listen and to learn," he said.
"I don't claim to be a genius but I pledge my total commitment to taking forward the process.
"I pledge that I will do absolutely everything possible to make sure that the Good Friday agreement is carried forward to the stage which the people of Northern Ireland want to see."
He admitted he was "very surprised" to be appointed following Mr Peter Mandelson's shock resignation on Wednesday over a passport scandal. But he hoped to accomplish "just a little" of that achieved by his predecessors.
"I wish the circumstances that brought me here were different from what they are, but I know that coming here I pursue the same objectives as Peter Mandelson did and before him Mo Mowlam.
"But at the end of the day I regard myself more of a vehicle for accomplishing a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland," added Dr Reid.
He said he admired the "dignity and courage" of the people of Northern Ireland and their traditions.
Of his Catholic faith he said it was a "private belief . . . My commitment is to the British government and to the people of Northern Ireland, not to any other organisation or any other group.
"But I bring one belief to this job and that is I believe that the people of Northern Ireland from every tradition, from every background, whatever their religious affiliation, have an overwhelming desire for a peaceful and prosperous future for the community here."
Meanwhile, campaigners for the family of the Belfast teenager, Peter McBride, shot dead by British soldiers in 1992, have asked the Northern Secretary to explain why he refused to meet the McBride family after his 1998 meeting with the representatives of Guardsmen Wright and Fisher, who had served prison sentences for the killing.
A spokesman for Dr Reid confirmed yesterday that the Northern Secretary had expressed a willingness to meet the McBride family, but a date had yet to be arranged.