Two Ulster Unionist MPs,Mr Ken Maginnis and Mr John Taylor, have beennamed as life peers in the dissolution honours list published today.
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Mr Ken Maginnis
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The two politicians, who are retiring from the House of Commons at this BritishGeneral Election, are among 24 new peers, including 12 Labour, five Conservative and five Liberal Democrats, who will take up seats in the House of Lords after the election.
The Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, the Conservative leader, Mr William Hague, and the Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Charles Kennedy, traditionally nominate the candidates before an election.
Mr Maginnis, told The Irish Timesyesterday thatthiswas a "wonderful" honour and a matter of "huge" political significance. Mr Maginnis said in January he would not be contesting his Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat.
"It underpins my unionism and my Britishness. I think it reflects very well on all those people with whom I've worked in community regeneration, the Ulster Defence Regiment, and in building political stability."
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Mr John Taylor
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He intends to remain active in the reform of local government in Northern Ireland and the delivery of community healthcare, and the position in the Lords would enable him participate more fully in UK matters beyond Northern Ireland politics, including environmental issues, Mr Maginnis said.
The deputy Ulster Unionist leader, Mr Taylor, said he felt "humbled" by the honour, admitting his nomination came "as an absolute shock".
Hewill remain a member of the Assembly and of the Council of Europe, despite his decision to step down from his seat in Strangford.
Other new life peers include the former Conservative Northern Ireland secretaries Mr Peter Brooke and Mr Tom King, and the former Tory deputy prime minister, Mr Michael Heseltine.