Orange tories target Irish language Act -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Tue, Oct 16 2007, 1:51:16 PDT
Author: From IPSC Board
Subject: Orange tories target Irish language Act

Irish Language Act to be scrapped
Posted on October 13, 2007 at 08:04:55 AM by Sean Mac

Poots to move on Language Act soon

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/politics/Poots-to-move-on-
Language.3373105.jp

CULTURE Minister Edwin Poots will make a statement to the Assembly
next Tuesday on the future of the Irish Language Act, it was
confirmed last night.

As reported in the News Letter this week, the DUP man is set to
scrap plans for legislation to promote and enhance Irish.
But it is not known what, if any, alternative route he will propose.
It is thought he will argue that the consensus for the Act does not
exist in the country and it would not get through the Assembly as
unionists would vote against it.

His department will also be constrained financially, and he will say
the minority Irish language is not a priority when other spending in
his remit on sport and the arts could facilitate tourism, jobs,
health and well-being.

Undoubtedly Sinn Fein and the SDLP will slam the Minister, but they
may be resigned to their position.

Speculation that nationalists will call for the British Government
to fulfil the St Andrews Agreement, which pledged to establish the
Act, by putting legislation before Parliament has been dismissed by
unionists.

They have arguedthat would be constitutionally impossible as it is a
matter for the devolved Assembly. But Sinn Fein Irish language
spokesperson Francie Brolly said: "An Irish Language Act is required
to secure Irish speakers' rights.

"The Irish language is not the property of one section of our
people. It belongs to everyone. "The St Andrews Agreement states in
Annex B that, 'The Government will introduce an Irish Language Act
reflecting on the experience of Wales and Ireland and work with the
incoming Executive to enhance and protect the development of the
Irish language'.

"The Irish-speaking community demand that their rights are protected
in legislation and Sinn Fein will continue to back this call."
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley said a rights-based Irish
Language Act is necessary precisely to take the language issue out
of the political arena and stopping it "would create tension".

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