Westminster has switched on the teeth of Northern Ireland’s identity and language law. From Thursday 29 January 2026, the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and both language commissioners move from set‑up to action after the Secretary of State commenced further parts of the 2022 Act at the Executive Office’s request. (hansard.parliament.uk)

“We are continuing to ensure respect and tolerance for all of Northern Ireland’s diverse identities, cultures, languages and traditions,” Hilary Benn told MPs as he confirmed the commencement. The move comes more than three years after Royal Assent and follows Stormont’s appointments last autumn. (hansard.parliament.uk)

What now applies in law is clear. Public authorities in Northern Ireland must have due regard to new national and cultural identity principles, while the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression will promote awareness of those duties, monitor compliance and report back to the Assembly. These functions sit in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 at sections 78F and 78H. (legislation.gov.uk)

For Irish, the Act provides official recognition and a practical framework. The Irish Language Commissioner will set best‑practice standards for how public authorities use Irish in services and communications, with plans approved by the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Authorities must then publish and keep under review their own compliance plans, and the Commissioner can investigate complaints. These duties are set across sections 78J, 78L, 78M, 78N, 78O and 78P. (legislation.gov.uk)

For Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition, the parallel commissioner role is now fully live. The post’s remit includes developing guidance, advising public bodies and investigating complaints with the aim of strengthening language, arts and literature linked to Ulster Scots. See section 78S of the 1998 Act. (legislation.gov.uk)

Who is covered? The term “public authority” for these parts of the law is defined by reference to the bodies listed under the Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, with power for the First and deputy First Minister to add to or remove from that list by regulation. The Office and both commissioners themselves are excluded from the definition. That sits in section 78Q. (legislation.gov.uk)

This is the third set of commencement regulations tied to the Identity and Language Act. The first (May 2023) created the statutory posts and structures. A second order (February 2025) repealed the 1737 ban on languages other than English in courts and placed a duty on the Department of Education to encourage and support Ulster Scots in education. Today’s order gives the new bodies their day‑to‑day powers. (legislation.gov.uk)

The personnel are in place. Pól Deeds is the Irish Language Commissioner; Lee Reynolds is Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition; and Dr Katy Radford is Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. All three were appointed by the Executive Office on 28 October 2025 and took up five‑year terms in November. (executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk)

Why this matters beyond Belfast: many Northern firms deliver services for Northern Ireland public bodies - from contact centres in Greater Manchester to software teams in Leeds and logistics hubs in Merseyside. As standards are drafted and approved, suppliers can expect contract language to reference them. If you work to a Northern Ireland public authority, plan for updates to customer communications, digital content and complaints handling, and be ready to show how you meet any published standards. The legal hook for all of this is sections 78M and 78O. (legislation.gov.uk)

Campaigners who pushed for legislative progress welcomed the switch‑on. “For the very first time, the status of the Irish language is legally recognised in the north,” said Conradh na Gaeilge president Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, calling it a milestone built on decades of community work. (irishlegal.com)