Vol. 502 No. 6
54 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposals to have an executive authority arising from the Good Friday Agreement to deal with matters of heritage and the Irish language on an all-Ireland basis. [4763/99]
64 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will comment on the setting up of an all-Ireland body to deal with matters relating to language development and heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7237/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 64 together.
As I indicated to the Deputy in reply to a similar question on 9 March, I welcome the establishment of a language body, one part of which will comprise an agency devoted to the promotion of the Irish language on a North-South basis, as one of the six new North-South implementation bodies being established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The functions and activities of the Irish language agency are set out in the Agreement between the Irish and British Governments which I signed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in Dublin on 8 March. The British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, which gives legislative effect to the Agreement was signed into law on 22 March. Since then, the two Governments, in consultation as appropriate with the northern parties, have been urgently taking forward the further steps necessary to enable the bodies to function as and from the date of the entry into force of the Agreement.
As I said on 9 March, the language body will play an important part in meeting the commitments to support the Irish language in the Good Friday Agreement. The language body will have an important role in regard to the general promotion of the Irish language on the island, but most particularly in Northern Ireland. For the first time there will be specific budgetary provisions for the Irish language in Northern Ireland,. This represents a very fundamental change in the position of the language there and demonstrates clearly the inclusive nature of the new structures being established. I also welcome the opportunity the language body will provide to promote a greater awareness of Ulster-Scots culture.
Heritage matters are not specifically covered in the agreement of 18 December, which identified six areas for North-South implementation bodies and six areas for North-South co-operation. Once the North-South ministerial council has been established, however, all matters of mutual interest within the competence of the administrations, North and South, can be considered within that forum. This will provide a context for possible North-South co-operation on other matters, including heritage issues.
