Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil ról nua aige ón uair deireanach a bhí sé anseo. Déanaim comhghairdeas leis. Gabhaim buíochas leis as a bheith linn ar maidin.

The reason I tabled this matter is the recent remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the Government's support for a stand-alone, rights-based Irish language Act to be implemented in the North, which was the position agreed at St. Andrews more than ten years ago. A majority of MLAs - 50 out of 90 - have declared their support for such an Act. The United Nations has called for rights-based legislation that protects Irish speakers and the EU's committee of experts has also called for rights-based legislation in the form of an Act that would protect rights and entitlements and afford greater opportunities for engagement between Irish speakers and those who wish to live their lives through Irish and the Executive and the state the North.

It is an important commitment and thousands of people took to the streets of Belfast recently in a colourful, diverse, open campaign about this. It included many families with children going through gaeloideachas calling for the fulfilment of this agreement. It is positive and significant than the Minister has been so overt and clear in his public statements on this issue thus far. It is important, however, that we hear from An Taoiseach in this regard to reaffirm, highlight and, indeed, reassure Irish speakers in the North that this is a matter the Government takes seriously as the highest level and that it wants, along with the thousands of people who took to the streets and a broad shade of political and civic society, the implementation of a stand-alone Acht na Gaeilge under the St. Andrews Agreement