The first and deputy first ministers have been urged to expedite the appointment of Stormont’s new culture tsars, including an Irish language commissioner.
Senior official at The Executive Office (TEO) Gareth Johnston told MLAs earlier this week that, while the institutions were dormant, civil servants had undertaken preparatory work for establishing an Irish language commissioner’s office, a corresponding body for Ulster-Scots and Ulster British tradition, and an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.
The “practical arrangements”, the director of TEO’s good relations and inclusion directorate said had been looked at included a business case and job descriptions.
However, Mr Johnston said that the appointments process would require ministerial decisions. It emerged during questioning that the commissioners’ appointments and establishment of the respective bodies were classified a “long term goals”.
Irish language advocacy group Conradh na Gaeilge welcomed the preparatory work and an indication that papers would be sent to the first and deputy first ministers for consideration.
However, the group’s advocacy manager Conchur O Muadaigh said details around the timecscale for appointments were “still vague”.
“We are concerned that officials classified the commitments and implementation of the legislation for the establishment of an Irish language commissioner’s office as long term goals,” he said.
“Therefore, we call on executive ministers, especially on the first and deputy first ministers, to set out a clear timetable for the appointment of the Irish language commissioner, and we have written to them both on that issue seeking a meeting.”
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said further delays to the package of measures, including protections for Ulster-Scots, that were outlined in 2020′s New Decade, New Approach agreement “won’t wash”.
“I will be seeking answers from executive departments around exactly what progress they have made in meeting their obligations under the Identity and Language Bill,” he said.
“It’s important that now the assembly has been restored the first and deputy first minister ensure that there is no further delay and all parts of this legislation around respecting people’s identity and culture in the north are introduced at the first possible opportunity.”
A TEO spokesperson said: “The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 amends the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and provides the statutory basis for the establishment of three new bodies, namely: the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression; the Irish Language Commissioner; and the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.
“Timescales, including appointments, are dependent on future decisions.”