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13/03/2007
Further consultation on Irish language legislation expected
The Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Maria Eagle, today announced that her Department is to carry out further consultation on Irish language legislation.
Sinn Fein has backed the move but the DUP has threatened to block the law if it comes before a restored assembly.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Minister said: “Government recognises that there is a divergence of views within Northern Ireland with respect to the role of the Irish language in public life.
“This suggests a need to build consensus around the form of any future legislation. The purpose of this further consultation exercise is to seek views on an approach which lies in between the two primary positions demonstrated in the responses to the first consultation; namely those in favour of a rights based approach to Irish language legislation and those opposed to giving any legislative base to the protection of the language.
“The draft indicative clauses contained in the consultation paper are based on a middle ground approach which government hopes may be practical and capable, over time, of gaining acceptance across both main sections of the community.
“It should be emphasised that these proposals do not pose a threat to those who do not wish to avail of public services in Irish. But they do support the aspirations of those people in Northern Ireland who have a genuine appreciation of the language and who wish to use it in their everyday lives.”
The Minister also stated the consultation will last for 12 weeks, and in the event that the matter will be dealt with in the Northern Ireland Assembly which should be operational from 26 March. However, if the Assembly will not be fully functioning from this date, the matter will be taken forward to Westminster.
(JM/KMcA)
Sinn Fein has backed the move but the DUP has threatened to block the law if it comes before a restored assembly.
Speaking in the House of Commons today, the Minister said: “Government recognises that there is a divergence of views within Northern Ireland with respect to the role of the Irish language in public life.
“This suggests a need to build consensus around the form of any future legislation. The purpose of this further consultation exercise is to seek views on an approach which lies in between the two primary positions demonstrated in the responses to the first consultation; namely those in favour of a rights based approach to Irish language legislation and those opposed to giving any legislative base to the protection of the language.
“The draft indicative clauses contained in the consultation paper are based on a middle ground approach which government hopes may be practical and capable, over time, of gaining acceptance across both main sections of the community.
“It should be emphasised that these proposals do not pose a threat to those who do not wish to avail of public services in Irish. But they do support the aspirations of those people in Northern Ireland who have a genuine appreciation of the language and who wish to use it in their everyday lives.”
The Minister also stated the consultation will last for 12 weeks, and in the event that the matter will be dealt with in the Northern Ireland Assembly which should be operational from 26 March. However, if the Assembly will not be fully functioning from this date, the matter will be taken forward to Westminster.
(JM/KMcA)
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