First Irish language and Ulster-Scots commissioners set to be confirmed

Pól Deeds (left) is set to become the Irish language commissioner and Lee Reynolds (right) will become the Ulster-Scots commissioner.

Northern Ireland's first Irish language and Ulster-Scots commissioners are to be confirmed within weeks.

BBC News NI understands the Irish language commissioner role has been offered to Pól Deeds, the deputy chief executive of the cross-border body Foras na Gaeilge.

A Stormont source confirmed he was deemed the "preferred candidate" and has been offered the post.

Meanwhile, former Belfast DUP councillor Lee Reynolds has been offered the post of Ulster-Scots commissioner.

Mr Deeds is a long time advocate for the Irish language and has worked for groups such as An Droichead in Belfast.

In his role with Foras na Gaeilge, he has been advising governments north and south as well as public and private sector bodies on the promotion of Irish language.

Earlier this month, he met Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to discuss her plans to erect Irish language signs at Grand Central station in Belfast.

That decision is currently being challenged in the courts.

If Mr Deeds accepts the job as Irish language commissioner, his appointment will be confirmed next month alongside the commissioner for the Ulster-Scots and Ulster British tradition.

Mr Reynolds, who has been offered that position, was an adviser to former DUP leader and first minister Arlene Foster, but quit after she was deposed in 2021.

He is also a former Belfast City councillor.

The appointments are jointly approved by the first and deputy first ministers.

Both offices were set up as part of the New Decade New Approach deal agreed in 2020 which led to the restoration of the Stormont Executive.

Analysis

Pól Deeds is no stranger to the political world.

As second in command at Foras na Gaeilge, his working life revolves around ministers north and south.

That experience will be useful in dealing with whatever challenges come along.

But he will also recognise the new opportunities to take the promotion of Irish language in Northern Ireland to a new level.

It is an historic first step if he decides to take on the job.

What will the commissioners do?

The Irish language commissioner's main role is to advise and set standards for public bodies on how best to use Irish.

The commissioners will also investigate complaints when those bodies fall short of services to Irish speakers.

The Ulster Scots commissioner will also encourage and monitor how public bodies deliver services in Ulster Scots.

But under the legislation the first and deputy first ministers "acting jointly may direct the commissioner in relation to the exercise of the commissioner's functions".