Vol. 439 No. 6
65 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, put forward by the Government in the context of Article 4 (a) (i) of the Anglo-Irish Agreement for a better recognition of the identity of the Nationalist tradition in Northern Ireland.
92 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to raise at the next Anglo-Irish Conference the Nationalist community's concern at the lack of use of the Irish language at such meetings and the general concerns that matters of Nationalist culture are not sufficiently recognised.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 65 and 92 together.
The Government has consistently emphasised within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference the importance of ensuring that the rights and identities of the two traditions in Northern Ireland are fully respected.
In this context particular attention is being paid to the Irish language, which we believe should be respected as an important part of a cultural heritage which is relevant to both traditions in Ireland. Various proposals have been put forward in this area, and while there have been some positive developments over recent years, we have also drawn attention to other areas where further improvements might be made.
