Peter Hain announced the ministerial changes

Angela Smith and Shaun Woodward are being replaced by junior ministers Paul Goggins and Maria Eagle.

Ms Smith held the education, victims and enterprise portfolios while Mr Woodward held the security, regional development and health portfolios.

There was no indication on Friday where they would be reassigned, or the roles their replacements would assume.

Mr Hain paid tribute to the efforts of the outgoing ministers.

"Angela Smith has given dedicated service to the people of Northern Ireland since October 2002 across a wide range of important and crucial responsibilities," he said.

Paul Goggins and Maria Eagle are joining the NI ministerial team

Mr Hain said she had been "unstinting" in her efforts for the victims of the Troubles.

"Shaun Woodward has made a valuable contribution as Security Minister and through his chairmanship of the Organised Crime Taskforce has ensured organised crime is being relentlessly tackled," he said.

Paul Goggins, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale, became parliamentary private secretary to John Denham soon after his first election in 1997 and went on to perform the same role for former Home Secretary David Blunkett.

In 2003, he became a junior home office minister, replacing Hilary Benn, who moved to the international development department in the wake of Clare Short's resignation from the cabinet.

Maria Eagle entered the Commons in 1997, for Liverpool Garston, joining her twin sister Angela in Parliament.

In 2001 she was appointed junior minister in the newly formed Department of Work and Pensions.