Written Answers. - Third National Language.
Enda Kenny
Question:
205
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
if she will comment on the status of Ulster Gaelic as the third national language in the context of the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29934/00]
Much as some of my Donegal colleagues would wish it to be so, I wish to advise the Deputy that Ulster Gaelic has not become a third national language. The two official languages of the State are the Irish Language and English. I presume the Deputy has Ulster-Scots in mind. It is not intended to amend the Constitution of Ireland to include Ulster-Scots as a national language.
The Good Friday Agreement made specific provisions in relation to the Irish Language.How ever the only provision in relation to UlsterScots is as follows: "All participants recognise the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland".
The British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 established An Foras Teanga, the North-South Language Body – a body with two separate parts which has functions relating to the Irish language and to Ullans, or Ulster-Scots, which is the variety of the Scots language traditionally found in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal.
The body has the following functions in relation to the Irish language which are exercised through Foras na Gaeilge:
promotion of the Irish language; facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;
advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors; undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary; undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations; developing terminology and dictionaries; supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.
In relation to Ulster-Scots, the function of the body (which is exercised through That Board Of Ulster-Scots) is the promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.
