Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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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

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht a chuid focal. Táim fíorbhuíoch as an seans labhairt leis an Seanad inniu ar an ábhar seo. Tá sé thar a bheith tábachtach.

I thank the Senator for raising the important matter of an Irish language Act in Northern Ireland, as provided for under the St. Andrews Agreement. The Government's firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, including the St. Andrews Agreement, must be implemented in full. This is reflected in the programme for partnership Government.

As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is unstinting in its work to achieve the full implementation of all outstanding commitments. Respect for linguistic diversity and the Irish language are central to the Agreement and, indeed, can be seen as something of a litmus test for mutual respect. The 2006 St. Andrews Agreement explicitly provides for an Irish language Act for Northern Ireland, to be enacted by the British Government. Unfortunately, to date, there has been no agreement within the Executive to take this now devolved matter forward. Successive Irish Governments have advocated in favour and the Government has continued to do so over the last number of years. In the Stormont House negotiations in late 2014, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and other Government representatives sought that the commitment to an Irish language Act be honoured and implemented. Regrettably, it was not possible at the time to reach agreement for such an explicit undertaking. Nevertheless, in the final text of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government and the British Government, recalling commitments from previous agreements, endorsed the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland.

At successive review meetings for the Stormont House Agreement in 2016, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade specifically raised the issue of outstanding commitments from other agreements, including that relating to the Irish language, and suggested there should be regular consideration at future review meetings to ensure that they remain on the political agenda. Most recently, in the discussions at Stormont Castle that began in March of this year to support the formation of a new Executive, the Government made consistently clear to the British Government and to all the political parties our strong support for a statutory basis for the Irish language in Northern Ireland, as envisaged under the St. Andrews Agreement. In this regard, the Government also underlined to the British Government the leadership role that both governments must play in ensuring that all provisions of previous agreements are appropriately respected and that the focus remains on achieving full implementation. The talks process at Stormont Castle concluded without agreement on 29 June. However, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has made it clear that the Government will spare no effort in fulfilling its solemn duty as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. This includes continuing to work to ensure the effective operation of all of its institutions and also the implementation of outstanding commitments, including an Irish language Act. The Government will continue to work to this end with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to reach agreement on the formation of a new Executive. The Government wishes to see this achieved as soon as possible.

Finally, I wish to note that the Government will continue to support the Irish language on an all-island basis, including through financial support for the work of Foras na Gaeilge be it in the area of the Irish language itself and also the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Aithním, agus táim fíorbhuíoch as, an tacaíocht, commitment agus grá den teanga atá ag an Aire Stáit féin. Maidir leis a chúlra féin, tá a fhios agam go n-aithníonn sé cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an t-ábhar seo agus atá saol trí mheán na Gaeilge do a lán daoine ó Thuaidh.

The Minister of State will know and appreciate from his background and work, not least as former Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, that the Irish language, rights and entitlements for the Irish speaking community are vitally important to a broad range of people. In the past number of years this issue represents the broader issue of Irishness. There are people who simply see themselves as Irish, want to be part of the Irish nation and live their lives in that way.

I had intended to ask the Minister of State about the Irish Government's engagement with the British Government as co-guarantors. We all recognise and appreciate the dynamic that exist in the North at present. We all know that a lack of respect for an Irish identity and Irish language is at the heart of the reason we do not have a functioning Executive.

I wish to reiterate to the Government, through the Minister of State, how important this matter is to many. The issue will not go away. It continues because it is necessary, concerns rights and equality and because it is an issue that was agreed. I do not say the following to be overly dramatic but it is true that rights delayed are rights denied. There is an obligation on all of us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the very just and legitimate demand for an Irish language Act, regardless of the climate in the North, is fulfilled as part of agreements reached.

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Tá cúpla focal gasta agam. Chonaic mé an athbheochan cúpla bliain ó shin nuair a chuaigh mé ar mo thuras féin. Chas mé le cuid mhór daoine ón Tuaisceart, mar shampla fear ó dheisceart Ard Mhacha ar chas mé leis i nGleann Cholm Cille. D'fhoghlaim mé cúpla focal uaidh ag an am. Bhí cuid mhór oibre déanta ar an talamh. Chonaic mé na rudaí a rinneadh sna Gaelscoileanna agus sna bunscoileanna agus rudaí maidir le cúrsaí oideachais fosta. Ba é Béal Feirste ceantar an fhir féin agus is ceantar Linda Ervine é. Bhí sé ag múineadh agus tá sé fós ag múineadh faoi láthair. Tá cuid mhór deiseanna ann. Tuigim go bhfuil deacrachtaí agus míbhuntaistí ann maidir leis na demands fadúda an teanga sa Tuaisceart faoi láthair. Aontaím le tuairimí an Seanadóra féin maidir leis na deiseanna agus na buntaistí atá ann don teanga amach anseo.

I acknowledge the Senator for raising this issue. It is so important that there is enlightenment about the language in Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. People must realise that it is a gateway to our past and allows us to discover more about our traditions. As a Government, we recognise all traditions and cultures for which we have formulated policies.

In 2014, I resumed learning the Irish language and my eyes were opened to a lot more than just the language. My learning journey has changed my approach to politics and life. Learning the language has deepened and enriched my understanding of who we are as a country and as a people. The ultimate objective for us as legislators, and we can only speak on behalf of the Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, is to reassure people that they should not be afraid of the language. We must convey to them that it is part of all of us, it is part of who we are and it is part of our history and heritage. We must work together, as legislators, to break down any fears that people have about the language.

I understand why people fear the language, particularly in Northern Ireland. It is our job, as legislators, to break down those fears and barriers. I am glad to say that many people are thinking about learning the language. Ms Linda Ervine has done a tremendous job of teaching the Irish language in east Belfast and many people from a wide range or strata of society have availed of the opportunity.

Tá an dualgas orainn uilig. We must allay negative perceptions, fears, inhibitions and nuances exist. We must convey to people that the language is much greater. It is bigger than the current narrative about obstacles, disadvantages and fears. Anybody that I know who speaks Irish or is learning it has been enriched by the experience. Everyone in these Houses can work together and we have a duty to break down fears and inhibitions. I am happy to work with Senator Ó Donghaile.

I have a lot of plans, especially in my new role in the Creative Ireland programme. Culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht are part of my Department's remit. I will examine ways to transform and develop the Irish language in this country. As we learned from the 2016 commemorative events, when people start looking back it might help us to position ourselves as we look forward.

Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein)
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Can I comment further?

Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)
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The rules do not allow it. Is trua liom. Tá an Seanad ar athló go dtí 11.30 a.m.