David Ford said: “I would like to thank Peter Hain for his contribution to the progress made in Northern Ireland in recent years and I want to take this opportunity to wish him well in his new post as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
“He has played a role in securing the devolution deal which has brought power back to Northern Ireland.
“I also want to congratulate Shaun Woodward on his appointment and hope he has less work to do here than Peter Hain, with our Assembly now dealing with local matters.
“I look forward to working with Shaun Woodward, and hope in the future that he moves to hand over further powers to our Assembly.”
ENDS