Dr Katy Radford to lead Cultural Office as TUV slams Irish Language appointment

Dr Katy Radford MBE, Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE), Lee Reynolds (left), Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition, Pól Deeds (right), Irish Language Commissioner

The First Minister and deputy First Minister have confirmed a series of high-profile appointments to key cultural and linguistic posts in Northern Ireland, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act.

Dr Katy Radford MBE has been appointed as Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE). Joining her are Pól Deeds as the Irish Language Commissioner, and Lee Reynolds as the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.

All three will take up their roles on 13 November for a five-year term, with the option of renewal subject to satisfactory performance.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister also announced the appointment of Brian Dougherty, Ellen Finlay, Stephen Moore, Dr Callie Persic and Dr Jacqueline Witherow as members of the OICE Board.

They will take up their positions on 3 December, also for a five-year term.

A Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly confirmed the appointments, setting out the purpose of the new structures — which aim to promote cultural pluralism, social cohesion and respect for diversity across Northern Ireland.

The OICE’s principal aims include promoting reconciliation between those of different national and cultural identities, increasing resilience in addressing identity issues, and supporting the celebration of cultural and linguistic heritage for all communities.

About the new appointees

Dr Katy Radford MBE, appointed as appointed as Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE)

Dr Katy Radford MBE brings extensive experience to her new role, having served as an Equality Commissioner, Vice-Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and as a member of the Commission for Flags, Identity, Culture, and Tradition. She has been a long-time advocate for equality and race relations, previously chairing the Racial Equality Subgroup and serving as Acting Director of the Institute for Conflict Research.

Dr Radford is currently an Electoral Commissioner for Northern Ireland and Chair of the British Council Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.

Pól Deeds, appointed as Irish Language Commissioner

Pól Deeds, the incoming Irish Language Commissioner, previously served as Chief Executive of An Droichead and later as Deputy Chief Executive of Foras na Gaeilge, the all-island body responsible for promoting the Irish language.

His role will focus on enhancing and protecting the use of Irish by public authorities in their delivery of services to the public.

Lee Reynolds, appointed as Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition

Lee Reynolds, appointed as Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition, has held leadership roles across politics and civic society — including as Policy Advisor to the DUP, Co-Head of the Ireland and Northern Ireland team at the Institute of Physics, and former Chief Executive of the Community Convention and Development Company.

His role will focus on developing the language, arts and literature associated with Ulster Scots and the Ulster British heritage.

Each of the full-time roles carries a salary of £88,268 per annum, while OICE Board members will receive £2,500 annually, based on an expected commitment of around one day per month.

Although the appointments are not currently regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (Northern Ireland), officials said the process had “reflected the spirit” of the CPANI Code of Practice.

Political reaction

The appointments have drawn a mixed political response, with both the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) expressing concern over the implementation of the new roles.

Ulster Unionist Party Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA said the new Commissioners and Director must work to build confidence across all communities.

“This is, of course, the outworking of another Sinn Féin and DUP talks process, which sidelined others and didn’t attract the support of many. Therefore, the Commissioners come in at the outset under a cloak of scepticism,” he said.

“At a time when public finances are stretched to breaking point, every penny spent must show clear value for money for everyone across Northern Ireland.

“Promoting language can be positive, but it must never be forced on communities who do not want it. Past attempts to politicise language have created resentment and mistrust. That approach cannot continue. Commissioners must learn from those mistakes and focus on inclusion, not imposition.

“Language should unite, not divide. Both Irish and Ulster-Scots have shaped our shared culture through literature, music, storytelling and identity, and both deserve recognition. But equally, many people do not identify with either language, and their views matter too.”

Mr Butler said the Ulster Unionist Party believes “fairness, equality and respect must underpin all language policy” and that the new appointments have a role to play in ensuring cultural expression helps Northern Ireland “move forward as part of a Union for all our people.”

TUV criticises Irish Language Commissioner appointment

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) has strongly criticised the appointment of Pól Deeds as Irish Language Commissioner.

Commenting on a report in the Irish News confirming that Mr Deeds will take up his post next month, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said:

“The appointment of Pól Deeds as the Irish Language Commissioner is a matter of grave concern.

“Mr Deeds, who in the past has openly declared his affiliation to Sinn Féin, has been an outspoken advocate for the expansion of Irish language legislation.

“In fact, last year he appeared as part of a Foras na Gaeilge delegation which argued that the very legislation under which he is being appointed didn’t go far enough. It is quite clear therefore that this zealot — who objects to sensitivity around Irish even being taken into account — will seek to use his position to aggressively push the Irish language agenda.”

Mr Gaston claimed the appointment “represents the fulfilment of a long-term Sinn Féin goal designed to entrench the Irish language in public life at the expense of the Unionist community’s cultural identity.”

“It will not be lost on Unionists that it took place with the agreement and sign off of the DUP,” he added.

“The precedent set by Wales, where the establishment of a Welsh Language Commissioner has led to significant public expense and the imposition of language standards across the public sector — even decreasing employment opportunities for non-Welsh speakers — should serve as a warning.”

The TUV previously warned that the role could be used to “advance nationalist activism under the guise of oversight” and has called on the DUP to ensure that no language guidance is issued “without cross-community consent”.

Context

The establishment of the OICE and the two language commissioners stems from the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, introduced following the New Decade, New Approach agreement that restored devolved government in 2020.

The new structures are intended to foster mutual respect and understanding between communities, and to provide formal mechanisms for promoting both Irish and Ulster Scots linguistic traditions while supporting reconciliation and inclusion across society.