Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I agree. Already, there has been a number of meetings on this issue and the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, has made a number of statements on it. The Government's position, which we have maintained throughout the talks process, is that parity of esteem is essential and all of these cultural, heritage and equality issues are of fundamental importance. We have never changed that position throughout the entire talks process, from the multi-party talks right through the Good Friday Agreement and since then, and we will continue to advocate that.

I spoke to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Edwin Poots, MLA. On a number of occasions we have said that this is an issue on which we want to see progress. I note the difficulties that have arisen over the past month or six weeks, but our position remains that this is an essentially important issue and should be dealt with.

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