Irish language campaigners meet MEPs

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún (pictured) welcomed a delegation, representing a range of Irish language organisations, to the EU Parliament in Brussels last Monday. The delegation was comprised of 20 language enthusiasts from across Ireland and they met MEPs, NGOs and EU officials.

"Today's meetings will allow those working across the spectrum of Irish language groups to meet with European officials and MEPs to discuss a number of important issues. Throughout the course of the day we will be meeting with a wide range of organisations, and both fellow Irish MEPs and those from further afield", said de Brún.

The delegation were keen to engage with MEPs on issues, such as the introduction of an Irish Language Act for the Six Counties, ensuring the full implementation of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in respect of the Irish language and the introduction of official and working EU status for the language on January 1, 2007. They also wanted to explore avenues for further networking and activity at European level in the future.

"The significance of a delegation of Irish language activists travelling to the European Parliament in Brussels should not be underestimated. Today's visit comes at a time of great revival and optimism for the language across Ireland. Those visiting the parliament today are keen to ensure that the Irish language is treated with the respect which it deserves - it deserves equal status on a par with English, German or French", said de Brún.