The Irish branch of the Celtic League is requesting other Celtic League branches and League activists to lend their support to a further petition of support for the Irish language.
The petition urges opposition to a bill, being proposed by the Labour Party Spokesman on the Irish language, to end the required oral Irish exam for solicitors and barristers.
Amongst other negative aspects of the proposal signatories contend that this bill will damage the status and usage of the Irish language generally, and especially damage the status of Irish in the legal system. The move if adopted would also make it will be impossible for Irish speakers to obtain their rights in the courts.
Commenting on the Labour party proposal the Celtic League Convenor and Irish branch officer, Cathal O Luain, said that; "In addition to the reasons mentioned in the petition the dropping of this requirement will affect further the viability of the language in the Gaeltacht".
He added that; "The Labour party spokesperson on Irish should be promoting Irish not acting to undermine its position but this unfortunately seems to be a trend amongst some opposition Parties".
The on-line petition is at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
19/11/07
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