This process will also involve selecting a director and five additional members for the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. This Wednesday morning, the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR) expressed criticism over the Executive's delay in appointing commissioners for the Irish language and Ulster Scots.

The Executive Office confirmed that advertisements for the roles will be published in the coming days, both online and in newspapers. These appointments, along with the establishment of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, were part of the commitments outlined in the New Decade, New Approach agreement in 2020.

According to the announcement, the commissioners will be responsible for overseeing public service delivery to Irish and Ulster-Scots speakers. Any proposals from the language commissioners will require approval from both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister before implementation.

The First Minister Michelle O'Neill has shared her enthusiasm about the launch, saying she was "delighted" to begin the appointment process for both the Irish Language Commissioner and the Ulster-Scots Commissioner. She also emphasised that the commissioners are "essential to delivering the Identity and Language Act" and expressed her satisfaction with the progress made so far. As she added, "I am committed to fostering, celebrating, and advancing the diversity and richness of our languages and culture”.

Moreover, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly noted that these appointments represent a significant "step forward" in the creation of new identity and language bodies. As she stated, “We encourage as many applications as possible to ensure we maximise the opportunity to support and promote our vibrant heritage and identity”.