asked Her Majesty's Government:
During June 2008, what promises they gave to parties in Northern Ireland concerning extra funds outside the block grant to (a) Ulster Scots language and culture, and (b) Irish language and culture; and whether the proportions are in keeping with the concepts of equality and parity in the Belfast agreement of 1998. [HL4737]
The Government have agreed to provide an additional £6 million over two years to continue the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund beyond its current end date of 2009 until the end of the CSR period. The fund was one of a number of bodies set up in response to commitments made in the Belfast agreement and joint declaration to help support linguistic diversity in Northern Ireland.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How equality and parity for the two major cultures and identities in Northern Ireland are upheld. [HL4738]
Public authorities carrying out functions in Northern Ireland are obliged, under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation; between men and women generally; between persons with a disability and persons without; and between persons with dependants and persons without.
In carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, public authorities are also obliged to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission play key roles in overseeing the implementation of statutory rights protections in Northern Ireland.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received this year concerning extra funding for Irish culture and language in Northern Ireland; from whom; and what was the result. [HL4739]
The Government have received a range of representations from individuals, organisations and political parties on the issue of funding for Irish culture and language. The Government have agreed to provide an additional £6 million over two years to continue the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund beyond its current end date of 2009 until the end of the CSR period.