Chris Hagan reports for UTV Live on the new secretary of state for Northern Ireland. Following the election victory of the Labour Party in May 1997, Tony Blair has replaced John Major as the United Kingdom's prime minister. Major had perhaps paid more attention to finding a peace solution in Northern Ireland than any other British prime minister before him. Tony Blair appeared to be equally as committed to finding a deal and he made the important choice of Mo Mowlam as the first ever female secretary of state for Northern Ireland.

Within hours of Mowlam's appointment, she was walking the streets of Belfast to meet people and show her dedication to the task ahead. Interviewed here, Gerry Adams welcomes the prospect of working with the new government. Mowlam would go on to become a popular and pivotal figure in the push towards a peace deal over the next year.

An Ulster Television Production.