£20m to protect Irish language
The Sinn Fein President has said money will be provided to develop and protect the Irish language as part of a £20m package from the UK government.
According to Gerry Adams, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has committed the UK government to carry on supporting the Irish language broadcasting fund for a further four years after 2011.
Recognition of the Irish language was one of the issues raised by Sinn Fein during Hillsborough talks to rescue the power-sharing government.
Mr Adams said: “Of course, this is not a matter of coercing or forcing unionism to embrace Irish language rights.
“Gaeilgeoiri (Irish speakers) do have a big job to win support for these matters and to persuade others that this issue needs to be depoliticised and that the gift of an indigenous language is a national treasure and the heritage of all who live on this island, no matter about political or other allegiances.
‘Equality’
“At the same time Irish language rights cannot be withheld or reduced at the whim of any political party. Equality is equality is equality.”
Measures to protect and enhance the Irish language should go to the ministerial executive by the end of March, according to the Culture Minister.
“It is my intention to bring forward a draft strategy to the executive by the end of March which can then go out to consultation,” said Mr McCausland.
He said one strand of this strategy will be to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language as set out in the St Andrews Act of 2006.
He added preparation of this draft minority languages strategy will require engagement with other Northern Ireland departments, especially education, and from the UK government on broadcasting.
“This will ensure that there is a much better representation of Ulster/Scots history on television and I will be making further announcements about the promotion and advancement of Ulster Scots in the future,” he added.
At Hillsborough, Sinn Fein and the DUP agreed to establish a working group to deal with outstanding elements from St Andrews.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will provide a report to the executive by the end of February detailing the level of progress made on each outstanding matter. This includes the Irish language.
TUV leader Jim Allister said the extra £20m for the Irish language was part of a sop to Sinn Fein.
“The DUP boast that through devolution it has stopped delivery on the Irish language is once more exposed as mere fantasy,” he said.
“Is it not the case that the wilting 14 (who initially allegedly opposed a deal at Hillsborough) were assured there would be nothing for the Irish language? Once more the DUP has been sold a pup.”
Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness will also seek executive approval to set up a working group to recommend how progress could be made on those matters which have not been acted upon.
Within four weeks of the working group’s initial report the First and deputy First Minister intend to agree a programme to complete the conclusions of the working group.
