To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 25 November (WA 2), and in view of the commitment to parity of esteem outlined in the Belfast agreement of 1998, what measures were agreed to give equality to the Ulster Scots language alongside the Irish language. [HL454]

The Government are committed to affording due respect and recognition to Ulster-Scots and the Irish language and to supporting the development of their respective cultural traditions. This commitment was reflected in the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, Section 15 of which amended the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to put the Executive Committee under a duty to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposes to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language and to enhance and develop the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture.

Following the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007, it is for the assembly to take the lead on the Irish language and Ulster-Scots.