13 Meith 2013, 17:36
The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this morning engaged with a range of advocates on the work in developing the Irish language in Northern Ireland.
13 June 2013
It also considered how best to progress the implementation of an Irish Language Act.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “We thank witnesses for an invaluable exchange of views with a diverse range of voices working on the development of the Irish language, both at institutional and grass roots levels in Northern Ireland.
“Committee Members, and indeed each of the witnesses, are at one on the necessity for an Irish Language Act, which was promised in the St Andrew’s Agreement. However, we heard differing assessments of how an Act might be secured. While some voices passionately advocated for the acceleration of the Act’s implementation, others argued that some space and time was required to provide the reassurance to those from the Unionist tradition.
“With an insight now into where the challenges lie, our Committee agreed to formally write to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD reaffirming our support for an Irish Language Act and to raise the issue of the future of the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund in Northern Ireland. It was also agreed that the transcript of this afternoon’s meeting would be forward to the Taoiseach and the First and Deputy First Minister.
“Concerns were also raised on potential changes to the number of core-funded Irish language organisations in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed to directly contact Minister of State Dinny Mc Ginley and his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA to highlight Committee concerns regarding the potential impact of such changes.”
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Ends
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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