The Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman rejected a complaint from commentator Jamie Bryson against Irish Language Commissioner Pol Deeds. The ombudsman required Bryson to raise the issue directly with Deeds office first. Bryson refused and warned of a judicial review against the ombudsman decision.

Deeds office stated it is newly established and developing a complaints procedure. Bryson argued no such procedure exists and contacting Deeds would mean asking him to review his own conduct.

The complaint followed Deeds description of Brysons opposition as hostile while emphasizing his own statutory powers. Deeds questioned the legality of Brysons court challenges related to Irish language policy at Belfast Grand Central Station.

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 created the commissioner role. Inserted as Section 7B into the Northern Ireland Act 1998, it allows the commissioner to recommend Irish language standards for public authorities.

Section 7A of the act obliges public bodies to consider national and cultural identity principles. These principles require expressions of identity to respect sensitivities of differing identities.

The 2022 act originated in the New Decade, New Approach deal that restored Stormont institutions in January 2020. That agreement committed to balanced language protections alongside Irish language provisions.