Irish language

Mark Durkan
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government intend to take to fulfil their commitment in Annex B of the St. Andrew’s Agreement to introduce an Irish Language Act reflecting on the experience of Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Paul Goggins
Prior to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly the Government released two consultation papers on Irish language legislation, the first on 13 December 2006 and the second, containing draft clauses for such legislation, on  13 March 2007. In doing so the Government honoured their commitment in Annex B of the St. Andrew’s Agreement as far as possible. However upon the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007, responsibility for this matter passed, in the first instance, to the devolved Administration.

The Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure has indicated his intention to work with the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure to find a resolution to this matter and we await the outcome of that process.