AQO 14/17-22 Oral question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
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.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 23 January 2020
- Answered
- Oral
- After due date
- Tabled
- 23 January 2020
- Answer due by
- 3 February 2020
- Answered
- 5 February 202013 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- No
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.