Members of Irish language lobby group Conradh na Gaeilge have had what they termed a “productive” meeting with Northern Secretary Julian Smith on what they expect of Irish language legislation. If that is to happen, it is incumbent on him to ensure that language legislation and rights for Irish language speakers form a very central part of that,” he added. He said: “Regardless of what emerges from these talks and whatever deal is put together as a result of these talks, people can be incredibly proud of that.”He said in 2006 the Irish language community was promised an Irish language Act as part of the St Andrew’s Agreement and the co-guarantors of the Belfast Agreement promised “resolute action” for the Irish language in 1998. In a statement following the meeting, Conradh na Gaeilge said it will continue to remind Mr Smith of his duty to implement the Irish language Act. Sinn Féin’s deputy leader Michelle O’Neill said on Friday that “clearly” there would be an Irish Language Act in any deal to restore the Executive, one of the major sticking points in previous negotiations.

Source: The Irish Times January 05, 2020 20:48 UTC