AQO 9/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 23/01/2020
Answered On Date: 07/02/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister how the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression will seek to represent and engage with people identifying as neither Irish, British or both.

Answer:

The New Decade, New Approach agreement sets out the strategic aims of the new Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.

These include the promotion of:-

cultural pluralism and respect for diversity, including Northern Ireland’s ethnic, national, linguistic and faith communities;

building social cohesion and reconciliation so that everyone has a sense of belonging;

building capacity and resilience on how we address our unresolved cultural identity issues; and

celebrate and support all aspects of Northern Ireland’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage, recognising the equal validity and importance of all identities and traditions.

Consideration is currently being given to the arrangements to bring forward the Rights, Language and Identity proposals in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement, including the creation of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.

Further details will be made available to Members in due course.