NORTH OF IRELAND: STORMONT 'POLITICISING' THE LANGUAGE DEBATE

The Celtic League has written to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure expressing concern about the continued prevarication by the administration in the North of Ireland over the introduction of an Irish Language Act. See below:

«Donal Moran Acting Head of Linguistic Operations Branch

11/12/08

Dear Donal Moran

Irish Language Act

Many thanks for your letter dated 11th November 2008 in response to my previous letter, dated 15th October 2008.

We do not feel that the reasons stated by the former Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Edwin Poots MLA, for not proceeding with the introduction of legislation relating to the Irish language in the North of Ireland, as set out in your letter, were tenable in October 2007 or at the present time.

The two consultations that took place on the Irish language in the North showed an overwhelming majority of the population in favour of the introduction of language legislation, with 90% in favour in the first consultation and 70% in favour in the second consultation. In our opinion this does not show »insufficient community consensus«.

Secondly, we are aware that there would of course be cost implications related to the introduction of an Irish language act, but this cannot be reasonably assessed until the provisions of such an act are outlined and this has not been done to date. The final point argued, where the idea that legislation could undermine »good relations« (in the community), is evidence to us of a politicising of the language debate.

The overall strategy in the North of Ireland, it seems, has been to try to connect any progress in the Irish language with Ulster Scots. This has unfortunately held up the development of the Irish language in the North and even had a malignant influence on provision for Irish in the Republic.

The Celtic League would therefore like to express its disappointment with the continuation of the Department's position on this matter and see it as a typical example of the intransigence that proponents of the Irish language in the North are up against on a daily basis.

We welcome the development of an Indigenous Minority Languages Strategy, but we recognise it as an attempt to further delay the very important task of introducing language legislation that would increase provision for the Irish language and protect the rights of Irish language users and learners. In continuing to maintain the position set out in your letter to us, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is highlighting its disregard for the linguistic and human rights of Irish language speakers, both in the North and the Republic of Ireland and runs contrary to the linguistic developments that have been occurring in Cymru/Wales and Alba/Scotland over the last ten years.

It is quite unfortunate that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure cannot see the benefits that Irish language legislation could potentially have for the communities of the North and only chooses to see negative aspects in the setting out of provision. On the other hand perhaps this is the intention.

I have copied this and your previous letter to the European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, who we think should be aware of the current position of the Department.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League

CC European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban Minister (North of Ireland) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell MP MLA»

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 13/12/08