Executive office launch process to appoint language commissioners

The process to appoint an Irish Language Commissioner and a Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition has been launched.

This will also include appointments of a Director and five other members to the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.

On Wednesday morning, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) criticised the failure by the executive to appoint commissioners for the Irish language and Ulster-Scots.

The Executive Office have said advertisements will appear online and in newspapers in the coming days.

The roles, along with an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, were originally promised in the New Decade, New Approach deal in 2020.

The commissioners are meant to monitor the services public bodies deliver to Irish and Ulster-Scots speakers.

Proposals from the language commissioners have to be approved by the first minister and deputy first minister before taking effect.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she is "delighted" to announce the launch of the appointments process for the Irish Language Commissioner and Ulster Scots Commissioner.

She described the commissioners as "integral to delivering the Identity and Language Act" and said she "welcomed the progress on this issue".

"I am committed to supporting, celebrating and promoting the richness and diversity of our languages and culture," she added.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said that these appointments are the "next step when it comes to establishing the new identity and language bodies".

"We want to encourage as many applications as possible to maximise the opportunities presented to support our rich heritage and identity."