12 Jun 2013, 17:05
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement tomorrow meets with a range of organisations to discuss the Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland and progress being made in developing the language.
12 June 2013
Addressing the meeting tomorrow are:
- Janet Muller of Pobal, who advocate for Irish language speakers in Northern Ireland
- Linda Ervine, Irish language development officer at the East Belfast Mission
- Niall Ó Catháin of Coste Forbartha Charn Tóchair / Carntogher Community Association, a small and growing Irish-language community in the Sperrin mountains in south County Derry.
- Aodán Mac Poilín of Iontaobhas Ultach, a cross-community Irish language charity based in Belfast
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “In the St Andrews Agreement, the British government committed to introducing an Irish Language Act reflecting on the experience of Wales and Ireland and to working with the Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to hear from a range of diverse voices who are working on the Irish language at grass roots level in Northern Ireland.
“The meeting comes on foot of the launch of a new publication on the Irish language launched by Pobal to coincide with 15th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. As well hearing from Pobal, who are the umbrella group for the Irish language in Northern Ireland, the Committee will also hear from Irish language advocates in urban and rural settings. As a Committee, we also will be particularly interested in exploring the ongoing work to connect the Irish language to those from the Protestant tradition in East Belfast.”
The meeting takes place at 12 noon tomorrow 13 June in Committee Room 4 in LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
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Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Peter Fitzpatrick, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chairman: Joe McHugh, TD Vice-Chairman: Joe O'Reilly, TD