Vol. 500 No. 7
133 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the question of the Irish language with the British Government in the context of it being specifically referred to in the Good Friday Agreement and the implementation of the proposals contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/99]
Progress in implementing the commitments with regard to the Irish language in the Good Friday Agreement is ongoing. In this regard, officials of my Department are in regular contact with their Northern Ireland counterparts.
Arising directly from the commitments in the Good Friday Agreement there have been a number of positive developments. The Education Northern Ireland Order 1998, requiring the Northern Ireland Department of Education to encourage and facilitate Irish-medium education, came into effect in September last year.
The British Government has confirmed its intention to designate Irish in Northern Ireland as a language to which the important Part III of the European Charter for regional or minority languages will apply. A language diversity unit is in the process of being established within the Northern Ireland Administration and this unit will be responsible for identifying the policy changes which will be necessary in a wide range of areas, in order to fulfill the requirements of the Charter.
Progress is also being made with regard to improving the availability of Teilifís na Gaeilge and RTE channels in Northern Ireland by increasing the power of the RTE transmitter at Clermont Cairn in County Louth. Proposals with regard to the more effective support for Irish language film and television production in Northern Ireland are under consideration.
An important development in this area has been the agreement to establish a North-South language body. This body will have a major role to play in the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island and in facilitating and encouraging its use in public and private life, North and South.
