29/10/2025
Key Appointments Confirmed For Identity And Language Roles
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have confirmed a series of key appointments to new roles established under the Identity & Language Act.
The appointments were announced in a Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly.
The three primary roles confirmed are:
• Dr Katy Radford as the Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE).
• Pól Deeds as the Irish Language Commissioner.
• Lee Reynolds as the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.
All three appointees will take up their posts on Wednesday, 13 November, serving for a period of five years.
OICE Board Appointments
In addition to the Director, the First Minister and deputy First Minister also confirmed the appointments of five members to the OICE Board:
• Brian Dougherty
• Ellen Finlay
• Stephen Moore
• Dr Callie Persic
• Dr Jacqueline Witherow
These board members will take up their positions on Tuesday, 3 December, also serving for a five-year term. The appointments mark a significant step in establishing the new bodies responsible for promoting and protecting Northern Ireland's diverse cultural and linguistic heritage.
The appointments were announced in a Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly.
The three primary roles confirmed are:
• Dr Katy Radford as the Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE).
• Pól Deeds as the Irish Language Commissioner.
• Lee Reynolds as the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.
OICE Board Appointments
In addition to the Director, the First Minister and deputy First Minister also confirmed the appointments of five members to the OICE Board:
• Brian Dougherty
• Ellen Finlay
• Stephen Moore
• Dr Callie Persic
• Dr Jacqueline Witherow
These board members will take up their positions on Tuesday, 3 December, also serving for a five-year term. The appointments mark a significant step in establishing the new bodies responsible for promoting and protecting Northern Ireland's diverse cultural and linguistic heritage.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.