Ulster-Scots

Lord Laird
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they propose to bring an Irish language Bill before Parliament; and whether any such Bill will include parity of treatment for the Ulster-Scots language, as required by the Belfast agreement of 1998.[HL8004]

Lord Rooker
The Government purpose to introduce an Irish Language Bill which will seek to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language.

It is not intended to deal with the Ulster-Scots language in the proposed Bill.

Her Majesty’s Government are committed to enhancing and developing the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture and are working actively with the Ulster-Scots Agency and representatives of the Ulster-Scots community to develop more detailed proposals for fulfilling this commitment.