21 June 2007 Edition
Adams meets groups on Irish Language Act
Sinn Féin President and West Belfast MP Gerry Adams and Francie Brolly MLA met representatives of a range of Irish Language activist organisations on Tuesday last. The focus of the discussion is the securing of an Irish Language Act for the north.
Speaking after the meeting Gerry Adams said:
“The campaign for an Irish Language Act is about asserting and achieving the right of Irish speakers, who wish to live all aspects of their lives through the medium of Irish, to be able to do so.
It is not about imposing the Irish language on any other citizen nor is it a threat to the language rights of others, but is about the recognition of the rights and entitlements of Irish language speakers.
The second consultation on the Act drew over 11,000 submissions most of which broadly support this proposition.
Sinn Féin believes that the commitment made by the British government at St. Andrews last year to introduce an Irish Language Act must be honoured. The rights of citizens must be at the heart of such an Act, it must be properly resourced and it will require a powerful oversight commissioner appointed to ensure its full and effective implementation.
Sinn Féin and the Irish Language groups have agreed to meet again within the next fortnight to discuss how the Irish Language Act campaign can be enhanced.
Speaking after the meeting Gerry Adams said:
“The campaign for an Irish Language Act is about asserting and achieving the right of Irish speakers, who wish to live all aspects of their lives through the medium of Irish, to be able to do so.
It is not about imposing the Irish language on any other citizen nor is it a threat to the language rights of others, but is about the recognition of the rights and entitlements of Irish language speakers.
The second consultation on the Act drew over 11,000 submissions most of which broadly support this proposition.
Sinn Féin believes that the commitment made by the British government at St. Andrews last year to introduce an Irish Language Act must be honoured. The rights of citizens must be at the heart of such an Act, it must be properly resourced and it will require a powerful oversight commissioner appointed to ensure its full and effective implementation.
Sinn Féin and the Irish Language groups have agreed to meet again within the next fortnight to discuss how the Irish Language Act campaign can be enhanced.