To ask the Minister for Communities (i) whether a commissioner's role has been considered for Irish and Ulster Scots language, culture and identity as part of New Decade, New Approach; (ii) what consultation has been made beyond that with the existing boards for Gaelic and Ulster Scots regarding language and culture; and (iii) whether there is a role for the Northern Ireland Office, Secretary of State and the Dublin Government for the Irish and Ulster Scots language, culture and identity as part of New Decade, New Approach.

The Executive Office (TEO) continues with preparatory work, to legislate for core elements of the Rights, Language and Identity proposals contained in New Decade, New Approach.

New Decade New Approach (NDNA) provides a commitment to the development and delivery of an Irish Language Strategy and an Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategy.

The principles and practice of citizen and community engagement and co-design will be a key part of the strategies’ development and delivery. A timetable for commencement will be published following Executive agreement.

The NDNA was jointly published by the Secretary of State and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The commitments of each Government are noted in NDNA.