AQO 633/22-27 Oral question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister how the work plan for the commissioners, appointed under the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, will be agreed.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 13 June 2024
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 13 June 2024
- Answer due by
- 24 June 2024
- Answered
- 24 June 202411 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 24 June 2024. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mrs O'Neill
With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, junior Minister Reilly will answer question 8.
Miss Reilly (Junior Minister, The Executive Office)
The Executive Office is responsible for taking forward the necessary arrangements to implement the provisions of the Identity and Language Act 2022, including the establishment of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, the Irish language commissioner and the commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and the Ulster-British tradition. We have given initial consideration to the appointments process and hope to make an announcement about the necessary recruitment competitions in due course. Our officials have undertaken the initial work, which includes the practical arrangements for establishing those bodies. We have already indicated that the competitions for up to eight public appointments to those new bodies will be run at the same time. The experience, in our Department, is that a public appointment process takes approximately a year from the initial decisions made in respect of the process.
Ms Bradshaw
Thank you, junior Minister. The Committee recently had a presentation on the report of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition (FICT). The Committee is very keen to see how that work could be dovetailed with the work of the new office. What discussions are taking place in that space in the Department?
Miss Reilly
It will be no surprise to the Member, when we talk about those offices being established and operating along with the commissioners, that it is an absolute priority for me and the Department that the process is done properly and effectively, in order to make sure that the offices are fit for purpose. I am happy to take that back to the Executive Office.
Mr McHugh
What steps have been taken to progress the establishment of the three new bodies under the Identity and Language Act?
Miss Reilly
The preparatory work has begun to establish the three new bodies under the Identity and Language Act. This place that we call home is rich and diverse when it comes to language, culture and identity, and we want to make sure that that is reflected in and protected by the offices and commissioners. Officials have undertaken preparatory work, including on the practical arrangements that are required to establish the three new bodies under the Identity and Language Act and on engagement with different language groups, in order to ensure that the process is properly informed. It is important that the process is done properly and effectively so as to ensure that the offices are fit for purpose. Ministers have given initial consideration to the appointments process as well, and we hope to make an announcement about the recruitment competition in due course. We are determined to make progress on the process. It is a substantial piece of work but one that we will absolutely deliver.