The South Belfast MLA stated: “This process has taken far too long, but it is welcome that Pól Deeds and Lee Reynolds have now had their appointments confirmed.

“Now it is important that they can get established in their new roles and operate efficiently in their areas of responsibility. There has been far too much negative commentary surrounding both posts in recent months and years.

"My Alliance colleagues and I look forward to working with them, and we are hopeful that both new roles will help depoliticise minority languages, deliver genuine respect for our range of identities, and promote the importance of our diverse cultural heritage.

“I look forward to them both coming before the Committee for the Executive Office in due course to lay out their programme of work.”