AQO 14/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 23/01/2020
Answered On Date: 05/02/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assurances they can give that the proposed framework contained in Annex E: Rights, Language and Identity of New Decade, New Approach will be fully inclusive of a wide range of societal groups, including ethnic minorities and the LGBT+ community.

Answer:

Under the ‘New Decade, New Approach agreement, we, supported by Junior Ministers in The Executive Office, will sponsor and oversee a new framework both recognising and celebrating Northern Ireland’s diversity of identities and culture and accommodating cultural difference. This framework will be underpinned by the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, while fully acknowledging and accommodating those within our community who define themselves as ‘other’, and those from our ethnic communities and newcomer communities.

Consideration is currently being given to the detail of these arrangements to bring forward the Rights, Language and Identity proposals in Annex E of the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement.