Irish Language Bill

House of Lords written question – answered at on 14 June 2007.

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Photo of Lord Laird Lord Laird Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they gave an undertaking at St Andrews in October 2006 that the Northern Ireland Assembly should consider a Bill on the Irish language; whether that undertaking is binding in international law; which political parties at St Andrews supported such an undertaking; and whether providing for only one language is consistent with the principle of parity of esteem in the Belfast agreement of 10 April 1998.

Photo of Lord Rooker Lord Rooker Minister of State (Sustainable Farming and Food), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Sustainable Farming and Food), The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords

On 13 October 2006, following multi-party talks at St Andrews, Her Majesty's Government gave an undertaking to "introduce an Irish Language Act reflecting on the experience of Wales and Ireland and work with the incoming Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language". The St Andrews agreement formed the basis of the political settlement that resulted in the restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland on 8 May 2007 and which is supported by all the parties. The principle of parity of esteem was fully respected throughout the multi-party talks at St Andrews.

Following the restoration of devolution, responsibility for Irish language issues became a matter, in the first instance, for the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Government, however, remain committed to doing all that we can to support Irish language legislation and to work with the Executive to this end.

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