To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the establishment of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, as outlined in New Decade, New Approach.

Mrs Foster

Our officials continue with preparatory work to legislate for the core elements of the rights, language and identity proposals contained in 'New Decade, New Approach'. This includes arrangements to progress a Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Amendment No. 1) Bill that provides for the establishment of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. We will progress the legislation during 2020-21 and establish the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression as quickly as possible thereafter. We will, of course, keep the Assembly updated on progress.

Mrs Foster

Yes, I am confident. It is part of the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement. Therefore it is important that the basis on which we came back is followed through on, not just in respect of this issue but on a range of issues where our Government, the Irish Government and other people have made commitments. It is important that we follow through on those commitments.

Mr Speaker

Paula Bradshaw for a supplementary. Sorry, I need to keep up. Doug Beattie.

Mr Beattie

First Minister, you will know that I spent three torturous years on the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition and produced a report that is now with the Executive Office. Is that report likely to be made public, or is it acting purely as a reference document for the new identity office?

Mrs Foster

I thank the Member for his question. I feel your pain in relation to that issue. The report was submitted to us on 17 July. It was my 50th birthday present, and I really want to say, "Thank you" for it. In concluding its work, the commission was very much aware of the content of 'New Decade, New Approach' that I have just referred to. On 20 October the junior Ministers met the joint chairs of the commission to discuss the report and its recommendations. We are considering the content of the report and the appropriate next steps, including a decision on the full publication of the report.

Ms Ennis

Will the Minister outline her understanding of the relationship between the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and the offices of the Irish language commissioner and the commissioner to enhance the Ulster-Scots and Ulster-British identity.

Mrs Foster

The Bills provide for three separate appointments — the director into the office and two commissioners to lead the three bodies. The office and the commissioners are therefore independent of each other, but the office may provide support services to the Irish language commissioner and to the Ulster-British commissioner. It is important to recognise that they should all work together because, if we are serious about representing the plurality of cultures and identities in Northern Ireland, there should not be any difficulties with the three bodies working together.

Mr McGlone

Thanks very much, First Minister, for outlining that and your commitment to have the legislation in place within this Assembly term. Will that legislation of itself define the roles of the commissioners and the functions of the offices that they hold?

The commissioners will be defined in the various pieces of legislation to amend the Northern Ireland Act. As the Member will know, that is how we are taking this forward: the Northern Ireland Act will be amended so that those bodies and commissioners can be set up. It will be clear in the legislation what the two commissioners' roles will be, and, indeed, the role of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.