Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
47 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the Government’s policy of seeking official working status for the Irish language in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28071/04]
View answer77 D’fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cad iad na hiarrachtaí atáá ndéanamh ag a Roinn maidir le stádas oifigiúil a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. [30146/04]
View answer103 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date in negotiations with the European Commission regarding the status of the Irish language in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30100/04]
View answer141 D’fhiafraigh Mr. McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha cad é an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le stádas oifigiúil a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. [27953/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 77, 103 and 141 together.
Following the Government's decision in July to initiate a process of discussions with the other EU member states and EU institutions with a view to seeking official and working status for the Irish language in the EU, a number of bilateral discussions have taken place with representatives of other member states and EU institutions.
In undertaking these discussions, on what is a complex and sensitive matter, we have sought to identify the issues arising and the practical options open to the Government in pursuing the objective of obtaining official and working status for the Irish language.
The progress of these discussions was recently reviewed at political level and the final details of our approach on this issue have been agreed. Ireland is today tabling a formal proposal in Brussels requesting that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language and I am arranging for a copy of the proposal to be forwarded to the Deputies.
Amendment of Regulation 1 of 1958, which governs the Union's language regime, requires the unanimous approval of partners.
