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During her
address to the conference, Brid stated that ideology is the unconscious
way we react to the world around us and culture is the outward manifestation
of the way we see the world. She explained the historical context
of this in relation to Ireland, reminding the audience that there
was no political unity in Ireland when the British first invaded -
but there was a coherent culture. British governments throughout these years have attempted to change the very mindset of the Irish people. Indeed the thrust of the current British government's policy in the north of Ireland is to manage sectarianism better. Brid explained to the audience how until recently, Irish classes were held after school and the teachers were often arrested. She told how the hunger strikers had helped so much to encourage people to learn Irish - many people joining classes in solidarity with them and since then, the culture of the Irish language has blossomed. Keeping the language keeps the culture alive. Although Irish classes are growing all over Ireland, Brid reminded us all that we still face an uphill struggle. She said that the language is an extension of how we see the world and has to be encouraged. We have to see Irish as our elective language.
"For Sinn Fein the Irish language has long been an issue of central importance and over the years republicans have been active in its promotion. We see the Irish language as a question of central importance and have sought to promote it at every level we can. On the ground our members have been active for years, both within the Irish language movement and in our own right, organising Irish language classes, helping to start and support gaelscoileanna, campaigning for right for Irish speakers and speaking the language in public forums when possible. "Inside the prisons the Irish language played a central role in the daily lives of many republican prisoners, most noticeably perhaps during those dark and sorrowful days of the prison protests when the Irish language was one of the few aspects of prison life that helped the prisoners lift their spirits above the horror that was all around them and helped them resist the brutal oppression that was being inflicted upon them. And today the language is still central to our political project. We have made the question of the Irish language a central concern in the on-going talks with the Irish and British governments. "Martin McGuinness, when he was Minister for Education, introduced legislation and established Comhairle na Gaelscoiliochta and Iontaobhas na Gaelscoiliochta to put Irish medium education on a firm secure footing. Bairbre de Brun, a long-time and committed Gaeilgeoir, ensured when she was Minister of Health in the north, that the status and public visibility of the language was raised by promoting bi-lingualism in her departments and publications - and within the Dail and the Assembly. And on local councils and other public bodies, our members use the Irish language as often as they can, according to our ability. "In survey after survey, the Irish people have shown their high regard for the language. The growth of the Gealscoileanna movement is living testimony to this fact. Despite years of failed government policies regarding the language in the south, and outright hostility by the government in the north, and despite the best efforts and endless attempts to marginalise the Irish language, the Irish people still maintain a gra and a support for the language. Our task is to turn this into active support and active use of the language. This means in reality that the first and most important priority must be the enabling and encouraging of people to speak the Irish language. It means Irish classes, Irish courses and gaelscoileanna wherever possible. "Behind the arguments about funding and rights and resources, and equality for the Irish language and the Irish speaking community, there is a fundamental fact that we must never lose sight of: The Irish language belongs to the people of Ireland - all the people of Ireland - irrespective of class or creed or background. Our priority is to give the language back to the people of Ireland, to re-learn our own language and to put that language back in the mouths of the people."
An Ghaeilge ina príoracht Ag caint ag seoladh Forógra don Gaeilge de chuid Sinn Féin, dúirt Bairbre de Brún, ball d’Ard Chomhairle an pháirtí agus í ina hionadaí do Bhéal Feirste Thiar, dúirt sí: “Is gné lárnach í an Ghaeilge sa chultúr Gaelach atá mar oidhreacht chomónta d’achan duine a chonaíonn ar an oileán seo. Is linne uilig an teanga, pé creideamh ná dearcadh polaitiúil atá againn. Saibhraíonn an teanga muid uilig. Seo an fáth a chreideann Sinn Féin go docht go bhfuil gá leis an teanga a chosaint. “Is é aidhm s’againne ná sochaí dátheangach a chruthú ag gach leibhéal. Is é cuspóir s’againne go mbeidh muintir na hÉireann ábalta an teanga a shealbhú arís. “Léiríonn an doiciméad seo bealach praicticiúil leis sin a dhéanamh trí reachtaíocht, craoltóireacht agus soláthar seirbhísí óige agus sóisialta. “Bhí Sinn Féin chun tosaigh ag cur na Gaeilge chun cinn agus ag cinntiú áit don teanga san idirbheartaíocht roimh Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta. Ó shin amach táimid ag cur na teanga chun cinn ar bhonn uile-Éireann. "Bhí ról lárnach againn i mbunú Foras na Gaeilge, an foras uile-Éireann a bhfuil freagracht aige ar chur cun cinn na Gaeilge. Agus d’éirigh linn sa streachailt le buiséad Foras na Gaeilge a fháil ar ais arís tar éis ciorruithe an Rialtais anuraidh. “Rinneamar iarracht, taobh istigh den Tionól agus san Fheidhmeannas, go dtabharfaí an stádas don Ghaeilge atá tuillte aici agus go ndéanfaí labhairt na Gaeilge a éascú agus a chur chun cinn. “Tá tuilleadh le déanamh le cinntiú go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm na geallúintí sin a tugadh don Ghaeilge. Sin an fáth go bhfuilimid ag foilsiú an Fhorógra seo agus sin an fáth a bhfuil coimitmint againn go mbeidh soláthar seirbhísí Gaeilge ina ghné lárnach sa chéad Tionál eile.
Adams Urges
Official Status For Irish Language Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP has written to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urging him to seek and secure official status for the Irish language during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Mr. Adams said: "Over 30 years ago the Irish government of the day refused to take up the offer of making Irish an official language of the EEC. That was a disgraceful decision which stands as a mark of shame against that government. "This year the accession of the new states in May will see the current 11 official languages increase to 20. Maltese, which enjoys 380,000 speakers, is already recognised as an official language of the EU. There are at least that many Irish speakers on this island and many more who have a knowledge of the language. "So far the Irish government, which will hold the Presidency of the EU during this transitional period, has no plans to seek official status for Irish, even though Irish taxpayers will provide money to a translation fund. "I have written to the Taoiseach urging him to propose a motion to the Council of Ministers to include Gaeilge as an official language of the European Union. "I believe this should be done as a matter of principle and because it is also critical to efforts across the island to promote the use and status of Gaeilge."
Sinn Féin MEP welcomes moves to recognise Irish as official language of EU Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has welcomed the news of Irish government efforts in Brussels today to have the Irish language recognised as an official working language of the European Union. Speaking today Ms de Brún said: "I welcome the fact that the Irish government has formally requested today to have Irish recognised as an official working language of the EU. I am pleased to see that the Irish government has taken on board the views of Irish language enthusiasts and set in train this process, although I will await the impact of their decision to seek a derogation with regard to translating some official documents. "Sinn Féin has made the recognition of the Irish language at EU level a party priority and has campaigned long and hard with other Irish speakers and Irish language organisations to ensure that Irish is recognised an on official working languae of the EU. Not only will this provide jobs for a number of translators, it also represents equality of treatment for the language at an EU level. "On a practical level, this step today should lead to a situation where I can use Irish in my daily work in the European Parliament to an extent not possible at present. Only last week I was reminded once again that when I speak in Irish during European Parliament debates those words are not translated or written into the minutes. "I want to pay tribute to the STÁDAS campaigners who fought tirelessly to ensure equal status for the language at an EU level. The campaign has reached this point specifically because of their hard work, determination and commitment." Tá fáilte curtha ag Bairbre de Brún, Feisire Shinn Féin san Eoraip, roimh an scéala go bhfuil iarrachtaí ar siúl ag Rialtas na hÉireann sa Bhruiséal inniu aitheantas a fháil don Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre san AE. Dúirt an Iníon de Brún gur tharla na hiarrachtaí seo mar thoradh ar “dhian obair, ar dhaingne agus ar sheasmhacht lucht tacaíocht na Gaeilge”. Arsa Iníon de Brún inniu: “Fáiltím roimh an scéala go bhfuil iarratas foirimiúil curtha isteach ag Rialtas na hÉireann le go n-aithneofar an Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre den AE. Is breá liom a fheiceáil gur éist an Rialtas le lucht tacaíocht na Gaeilge agus go bhfuil proiséas ar siúl acu anois ina taobh. Beidh mé ag fanacht, áfach, le toradh an tsocraithe atá á lorg acu gan aistriúchán a dhéanamh ar cháipéisí oifigiúla éagsúla. “Bhí aitheantas don Ghaeilge ar bhonn Eorpach mar thosaíocht ag Sinn Féin agus, gualainn ar ghualainn le cainteoirí Gaeilge eile agus le heagraíochtaí Gaeilge, d’oibrigh muid go dian lena chinntiú go mbainfear aitheantas oifigiúil oibre amach don teanga. Ní hamháin go mbeidh poist ann do roinnt aistritheoirí ach beidh comhionannas ann as seo amach don Ghaeilge ar leibhéal Eorpach. “Ar bhonn phraicticiúil, cuideoidh coiscéim an lae inniu liomsa agus mé i mbun mo chuid oibre i bParliamint na hEorpa, áis teanga nach rabh agam go dtí seo. Cuireadh in iúl domh arís eile an tseachtain seo caite nach n-aistrítear óráidí as Ghaeilge agus nach mbreactar síos óráidí as Ghaeilge sna miontuairiscí má bhainim úsáid aisti le linn díospóireachtaí Pharliamint na hEorpa. “Ba mhaith liom ómós a thabhairt do mhuintir STADÁS a throid gan staonadh leis an chomhionannas a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge san AE. Is de thoradh na sár-iarrachta sin a sroicheadh an ceannscríbe seo.”
Enhanced status for Irish language Irish today became the 21st official and working language of the European Union. Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern welcomed the decision by foreign ministers to approve Irish government proposals to recognise the dignity and status of the state`s first official language. "I am very pleased that the Irish language has been accorded official and working status in the European Union," he said. "This affirms at European level the dignity and status of our first official language. "This represents a particularly significant practical step for the Irish language, and complements the government's wider policy of strong support for the language at home." The decision is expected to be given the official seal of approval at a meeting of the Council of Ministers this afternoon. Irish now becomes the 21st official and working language of the Union. Ministers from 25 member states agreed unanimously to endorse the Government's November 2004 proposal seeking the enhanced status. To date, Irish has been only accorded the status of a Treaty language but today's decision means key EU legislation must now be translated into Irish. Irish translations will also be provided at certain ministerial meetings if requested. The language will also become a requirement for certain jobs within EU institutions. The enhanced status is scheduled to take formal effect from January 1, 2007. "EU officials will use the interim period to develop the capacity to provide the Irish language services that flow from the Government's proposal," an Irish Foreign Affairs spokesman said. Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún said: "As an Irish speaker I am obviously delighted that the Irish language has been accorded the status of an official working language of the EU. Today's announcement is a victory for campaigners from all over Ireland and further afield who continue to campaign for equality for the language. "Sinn Féin has made the recognition of the Irish language at EU level a party priority and has campaigned long and hard with other Irish speakers and Irish language organisations. "As expected, the other member states unanimously endorsed what was sought by the Irish government. Sinn Féin will continue to monitor the impact of the derogation sought by the Irish government and the pace of practical improvement in the status of the language and its speakers. "Whilst recognition of the language in an international context is symbolic, it is also much more than that. The positive impact of this decision will be hugely influential for the one million plus Irish speakers and learners in this country, as well as opening up further employment opportunities for Irish speakers. "I want to pay tribute to all those involved in the STÁDAS campaign for their hard work and determination, which undoubtedly moved the Irish government to act on this issue. Today's announcement is a major step forward in the STÁDAS campaign. This is a day to celebrate for Irish speakers and campaigners."
Ag Tógáil Éire Nua By Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh and Ciarán Mac Giolla Mhéin The revival of Irish is a prominent aspect of Sinn Féin's vision of a united Ireland based on equality, justice and peace. Here Feargal Mac Ionnrachtaigh and Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin highlight the importance of language to republican objectives. They also set out radical and practical ways of re-focusing all republican activists on the need to elevate cultural revival to the centre of our struggle. Creating a bilingual society is a daunting challenge but building a new Ireland means responding positively to such challenges. The cultural revival movement was the crucial inspirational factor for the Irish revolution in the last century. It is now vital that language revival be utilised as a central component in the project of nation building. Centuries of cultural and economic oppression in Ireland have ensured the success of the British political project of domination culminating in a process of Anglicisation which ultimately led to our failure to restore Irish as a general spoken means of communication. The fact that Ireland is one of the few Western European countries to have been colonised in recent historical times has negatively impacted on Irish national pride. This in turn has paralysed political and cultural debate, especially since the formation of the 26-County state, where disastrous state revival policies has seen the reduction of native speakers plummet from one in five of the population in 1922 to one in 120 by the year 2002. Recent surveys of public attitudes amongst Irish people towards Irish combine extensive support for the language with widespread inability or reluctance to learn or speak it. This clearly reflects Irish-language Journalist Tomás Mac Siomóin's view that a 'cultural schizophrenia' exists illustrating the enduring legacy of British colonisation. The consequences of this legacy have created a false sense of identity that clamours for recognition as a distinct nationality and relegates the language to that of a symbolic icon. In the words of Historian JJ Lee: "There is in present circumstances, no substitute for the language. However, exhilarating Gaelic hurling and football may be at their best, however exuberant the beat of the bodhrán, these are only details in the overall design of a distinctive culture. The language is now, for practical purposes, the design." While cultural regeneration made possible the 1916 Rising, the publication of the Proclamation in English only underlined the marginality of language revival to the revolutionary programme at a time when one in five of the Irish people were native speakers. In deviating from the broader European independence movements of that era, language revival in Ireland has remained on the margins of subsequent political struggles. The current process of nation building requires a detailed revolutionary strategy that involves the construction of a decolonised identity to which the repossession of the Irish language is central. In the words of the late republican and language activist, Mairtín Ó Cadhain: "The Irish language is the re-conquest of Ireland -- the re-conquest of Ireland is the salvation of Irish." Where are we now? Successive Irish Governments have done more harm than good to the fortunes of Irish since 1922. Revival policies were reduced to the imposition of Irish in all state schools coupled with poor teaching methods leading to widespread resentment of the language. The substantial decrease of native Irish speakers and subsequent geographical retreat of the Gaeltacht regions is indicative of a continuous policy of economic neglect by various Irish administrations. On a more positive note, the Irish Government seems to have abandoned the policy of allowing the language to die by stealth. It has appointed a Minister with specific responsibility for the Gaeltacht regions, Éamon Ó Cuív, and passed the Official Languages Act in 2003 ensuring that every publication made by a Governmental body must be published in both official languages. In addition, it successfully proposed that Irish be afforded official and working language status within the European Union, although it is important to note that this only came about after a sustained campaign by Irish language groups. In the Six Counties the attitudes of the British and unionist establishment has been characterised by discrimination and demonisation of Irish. While the language received its first formal recognition with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and the British Government's ratification of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, its failure to fulfil commitments made, underscores its continued adherence to a colonial agenda. Despite this, Sinn Féin has successfully held the British Government to account on a range of commitments made in relation to Irish. Sinn Féin was instrumental in the establishment of the cross-border language body Foras na Gaeilge and the successful fight to restore it's budget. Martin McGuinness, as Minister for Education, established Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta (Irish-Medium Schools trust) and Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (Irish-Medium Schools Council) which have revolutionised the development of the Irish medium sector in the North. What is to be done? While recognising the significance of achieving status for the language in the EU, this must not be viewed as a substitute for language revival at home. Similarly, the successful growth of the Irish-medium education sector cannot be overestimated. This was recently emphasised by republican ex-prisoner and Irish-language activist, Séanna Walsh: "We have worked tirelessly to ensure that Irish-medium education is put on a firm foundation and built upon throughout the North. It is now time to look at all the adults across the country who would like to be able to speak it but haven't got around to it." Greater emphasis must be placed on the protection and promotion of the language amongst the Irish people. The priority for all language revivalists must be to empower and inspire the learning and speaking of Irish. Although Sinn Féin's record on Irish language issues is commendable, especially when compared to the indifferent approach of all other nationalist parties, its stated aim of, "creating a bilingual society at every level", is dependent on the creation of a bilingual movement that can pursue this objective. To transform the fortunes of Irish and propel it from the margins of republican objectives, it is imperative that all activists are educated and re-focused on its centrality to the building of an Ireland of Equals. Sinn Féin can thus develop from being a party which campaigns on Irish language issues to a party that epitomises the struggle for repossession of the language. In developing a programme to Gaelicise the movement we need look no further than the example of Herri Batasuna in the Basque Country, who introduced a radical programme of language acquisition within their movement. In 1991, Batasuna successfully implemented a five-year plan that involved all party members learning to write and speak their native language, Euskara. The leadership shown by Batasuna on this matter has become the catalyst for a resurgence of national culture and identity amongst the Basque people. In focusing the Republican Movement on the indispensability of language revival to the project of nation building we can directly influence the national consciousness and inspire the Irish people to reclaim their sense of national identity regardless of age, class, creed or political outlook. A comprehensive process of de-colonialisation demands that the language transcends its current symbolic status in order to achieve proper recognition and full rights for all its users. The magnitude of the challenge to create a bilingual Ireland necessitates that the Irish people re-evaluate and ultimately re-define their sense of Irishness. By providing positive leadership on this issue republicans can make this vision realisable and become the driving force in the process of building a new Ireland. Just as the revival efforts of the Gaelic League provided the dynamic for the Irish revolution in the last century, a rejuvenated and determined Republican Movement can positively contribute to reinforcing our national identity with a new sense of dignity that can characterise our struggle in the new millennium. Go n-éirí linn.
Consultation Paper on Proposed Irish Language Legislation Launched The British government department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has launched a consultation paper on proposed Irish language legislation for the six counties. Speaking today British Culture Minister, Maria Eagle MP, said: "There has been a longstanding call from the Irish speaking community in Northern Ireland for legislation on the Irish language and government made a commitment in the St Andrews Agreement to introduce Irish Language legislation. "Legislation to protect a minority indigenous language is not a novel idea. It is well established in other parts of the UK and in the Republic of Ireland. This paper sets out a number of approaches on which views are welcome. "There will be different views on the various approaches. But I would like to stress that there is nothing in this paper that suggests that the use of the Irish language will be imposed on any individual or any sector of society in Northern Ireland." Ms Eagle said that the Welsh Language Act 1993, the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Official Languages Act 2003 in the 26 counties all provide measures of varying degrees to recognise, protect and promote their respective languages. In 2000 the UK government ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The consultation paper sets out four main approaches to Irish language legislation - a rights based approach; prescribed duties on public bodies; a language scheme approach; or a combined approach. The legislation in Wales, Scotland and the 26 counties are largely based on the language scheme approach. This involves public bodies drawing up a language scheme showing what services they are going to make available through the medium of Irish. The legislation in Wales and Ireland also contain aspects of the other approaches described. The Minister stressed that the British government has no preference for any particular approach. The Minister continued: "Irish language legislation is an important and significant matter for Northern Ireland. "One of the key lessons along the long path to reconciliation in Northern Ireland is that it is only through open discussion that a shared future can be created for all our communities. "This is why this consultation is important. "It will be an opportunity for a full discussion of both the aspirations and the concerns around the use of the Irish language in public life in Northern Ireland. "Responses to the consultation will be carefully considered. The consultation period will last until Friday 2 March 2007. Our aim is to ensure that legislation can be taken forward quickly thereafter in line with the St Andrews Agreement." The DUP's Iris Robinson said measures to introduce an Irish Language Act would "outrage the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland". Speaking in the British House of Commons, she asked British Prime Minister Tony Blair: "Would you confirm that in the event of devolution it would be entirely for the Assembly to determined whether such a Bill would proceed and in what terms?" Mr Blair replied: "I can assure that nobody is going to be forced under the provisions of any such Bill to speak the Irish language. Of course not." He added: "In relation to the consultation document that has been put out, we will obviously wait for responses. "But the sooner it is possible, of course, to get devolution up and running again the easier it will be for these decision to be taken where, I am sure, the people of Northern Ireland would wish them to be taken." Sinn Féin Human Rights and Equality Spokesperson, Caitriona Ruane MLA, said that the legislation must not be diluted and that Sinn Féin want to see the creation of a Language Commissioner and sufficient resources to support the full implementation of the legislation. Ms Ruane said: "Sinn Féin has consistently raised this issue with the British government and at St. Andrews the British government committed itself to introduce an Irish Language Act. "Irish language speakers in the north are entitled to the same rights and entitlements as everyone else. "Of course, there will be resistance to an Irish Language Act but it is essential that this consultation process delivers maximum protections and fundamentally ensures that there are sufficient resources to promote Irish. "Sinn Féin also want to see a specific commitment to an Irish Language Commissioner similar to the one operating in the south to ensure that there is an end to the piecemeal approach and foot dragging that has characterised the implementation of previous commitments to the Irish language. "Beimid ag cinntiú go bhfuil cearta do Ghaeilgeoirí, agus creatlach dleathach d'fhorbairt na teanga mar a mholtar san Acht seo, beidh muid ag cinntiú go mbeidh siad ag croí-lár na gcainteanna idir muid féin, an dá rialtas agus na páirtithe eile."
Irish language act call for the North Ireland’s largest cross-border Irish-language promotion body last night voiced support for an Irish language act in the North. The call initially came from the campaigning group Pobal. Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, acting chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge, congratulated Pobal for running a “lively energetic campaign”. “It is time for us to make use of the limited Irish-language services available in the North to show the authorities that there is a great demand for this act and that the Irish-language community in the North deserves and needs this service,” he said. “An Irish language act of Northern Ireland could greatly add to the status of Irish, not only in the state system but in society in general, and would greatly assist the normalisation of Irish. “It would give a legislative basis to the promises made in the European Council’s Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.” Welsh received this kind of legislative support in 1993 and Scottish Gaelic in 2005. The next logical step would be to enact similar legislation to support Irish in the North, said Mr Mac an Fhailigh.
Taoiseach welcomes EU recognition of Irish language Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today said the new year was a new beginning for the Irish language in Europe. Key European Union regulations will now be translated into Irish and interpretation provided in parliament as from today. The move follows years of protracted lobbying of the Taoiseach to upgrade the language's status from a 'Treaty language' to an official and working one. "It will take its rightful place alongside the other 22 European languages which enjoy this status within the Union," said Mr Ahern. He said it was a very special day for Ireland coming 34 years into our involvement with the EU. "It reflects the fact that Irish is an essential part of what we are as a people and as a proud member of the European family of nations," said the Taoiseach. "As we celebrate a New Year, let us also celebrate a new beginning for Irish as one of the languages of modern Europe. "All who cherish our language need to work together, at home and in Europe, to ensure that we can build on this great opportunity and strengthen the language in every possible way."
Poots opposes move on Irish act Culture Minister Edwin Poots has said he is opposed to the introduction of an Irish Language Act. He said this was despite the majority of respondents to the department's consultation favouring legislation. Mr Poots told the NI Assembly that "compelling costs" were among the reasons he was against the act. Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff, culture, arts and leisure committee chairman, said the move was "a mistake". "He is missing an opportunity here, a major opportunity to prove that he is capable and willing of being minister for all of the people," he said. Costs Mr Poots said the Northern Ireland Civil Service had already spent just over £20m delivering Irish language projects and translations in the past year. He said this figure excluded the expenditure of local councils and the Northern Ireland Court Service. "The enhancement and protection of the development of the Irish language is an important matter for Northern Ireland, as is the enhancement and protection of the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture," he said. "However, I remain unpersuaded that there is a compelling case for progressing legislation, at this time. "There is, in my view, insufficient community consensus; potentially significant costs; and a real possibility that legislation could undermine good relations and in so doing prove counter productive to those wishing to see the language developed in a non-politicised and inclusive manner." Ulster Unionist assembly member David McNarry welcomed the decision. "Respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity would have been fundamentally undermined by the proposed act," he said. "The Irish Language Act would further politicise Irish, place an undue and costly emphasis upon it and allow it to be used as a cultural weapon in an unarmed struggle." The SDLP's Dominic Bradley said Mr Poots' decision was "a cause for regret". "He has abdicated his duty to implement the promises made by the two governments in respect of the Irish language in the Saint Andrew's Agreement and in the Good Friday Agreement," he said. "Whether Mr Poots likes it or not, the two governments have made binding promises with regard to the Irish language." The Irish Language Act was promised to Sinn Fein by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at the St Andrew's talks in 2006. However, the act is now the responsibility of the Executive, and requires cross-community consensus.
Campaign for Rights-Based Irish Language Act Goes On Irish language campaigning group ACHT have reacted with anger and dismay at the announcement by DCAL Minister, Edwin Poots today that he remains "unpersuaded" for the case of an Irish Language Act, despite the majority of the respondants to both consultation processes saying they favoured legislation. Mr Poots also suggested that the legislation would prove "potentially costly" and that it could "undermine community relations". ACHT spokesperson Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin said that although many in the Irish language community were unsurprised by the announcement of the minister in light of the long-standing antipathy within both main unionist parties regarding the granting of rights to Irish speakers, they were nonetheless angered and dismayed at his reneging on an inter-governmental pledge given in the context of an international agreement made last year. Mr Mac Giolla Bhéin said: "The Irish language community enthusiastically took part in both DCAL consultation processes in the hope that our views would finally be listened to, even though we recognised that the second process was an expensive stalling mechanism to delay the Irish Language Act in order to give recalcitrant unionism the opportunity to scupper the Act once devolution was restored, which they have done today. "Clearly the thousands of Irish speakers who wrote submissions in favour of a rights-based Act will feel let down as their views have been completely ignored today. "Mr. Poots' spurious assessment that a Language Act would effect 'community relations' and fail to achieve 'community consensus' actually outlines exactly why we need to ensure the rights of Irish speakers through strong legislation. Language rights threaten nobody, as the language belongs to us all and this issue shouldn't be allowed to become subject to long standing unionist anti-Irish language prejudice. "Mr. Poots also highlighted the 'significant cost' of any Act in a deliberately exaggerated and misleading way. For example, 75% of the budget allocated to Irish language development through cross-border body Foras na Gaeilge is supplied by the Dublin government. While their arguments in relation to the additional costs of Irish language services and schemes have been asserted in isolation in order to elevate the potential costs. "Minority language rights are human rights and any additional costs associated with implementing the Act (could) be accounted for in the overall budget plans just as training costs, health and safety costs and other aspects of normal good practice are. "However, ACHT remains upbeat, confident and more determined than ever to press ahead with the campaign for a rights-based Irish Language Act until it has been achieved. "Mr Poots and other unionists leaders who oppose granting rights to the Irish language community have severely underestimated the resilence of the thousands of Irish speakers and supporters who have marched on the streets and wrote submissions demanding the same rights afforded to Irish speakers in the rest of Ireland, speakers of Welsh in Wales and Gáidhlig in Scotland. "We will re-double our efforts in the weeks and months ahead working on the ground with the Irish language community, activists, children from the Gaelscoileanna and their parents to support them and to encourage them to be active and to 'act' in support of the Irish language and to defend and demand their human rights. "Go n-éirí linn."
There will be an Act - Adams Responding to today's statement in the Assembly by the Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure, Edwin Poots, regarding the Irish Language Act, Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP said that Mr Poots and the DUP have missed a unique opportunity to show mature leadership regarding Irish language legislation. Mr Adams said: "Regardless of today's events bealach amhain nó bealach eile one way or another there will be an Irish Language Act." "Edwin Poots as Culture Minister should have been long-sighted on this matter. He was in a unique position to show mature leadership. The Irish language threatens no-one. It is not compulsory. Irish language rights threaten no-one. "The revival of the Irish language has been our country's cultural success story. More and more people are using Irish. Young children in particular are being educated in increasing numbers through the medium of Irish and it is their future and their rights that must be secured through legislation. "It is therefore unfortunate that the Minister has taken today's course of action and this is certainly not in the spirit of a new local Assembly. "Sinn Féin have long argued for an Irish Language Act which recognises the rights of Irish speakers. This attempt to renege on this legislation will be challenged by Sinn Féin through the Executive. "It is with regret that the DUP and UUP have used this issue as a political football rather than an administrative subject. The last two weeks have seen attacks in the chamber on the language ad nauseum. "Irish language legislation is not a demonstration of strength by Sinn Féin. However, this morning is a clear sign of weakness by certain sections of unionism. "However, I am sure that language rights - a non-controversial issue throughout the world - will in the time ahead be achieved in Ireland. "They shall not be stifled." |
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