Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 224: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made since a recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister in regard to making the Irish language an official working language of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17061/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On 13 December last, I outlined to my counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council the reasons for Ireland's proposal that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language. This followed the formal tabling of our proposal in Brussels on 24 November. Regulation 1 of 1958 governs the Union's language regime. The unanimous approval of member states is required to amend this regulation.

Contacts have been ongoing at political and official level with partners in Brussels and in capitals with a view to advancing our proposal. These contacts have included the meeting between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Zapatero in Madrid on 28 April at which the European Union's language regime was among the issues discussed. The Government is satisfied that we are continuing to make good progress. We hope to put the issue on the agenda of the Committee of Permanent Representatives shortly with a view to further progressing the matter.