Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to support the introduction of a languages Act in Northern Ireland as provided for in the St. Andrews Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28671/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The St. Andrews Agreement 2006 included a commitment to bring forward an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland, reflecting on the experience in Wales and our own experience in Ireland. It also called on the incoming Northern Ireland Executive to work to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. The British legislation giving effect to the St. Andrews Agreement included a specific requirement on the Executive to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposed to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language.

With the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland is now a devolved matter for consideration by the Northern Ireland Executive. In that regard, my colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon O Cuív T.D., has had ongoing discussions on the issue with his counterpart, the Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The Government continues to follow developments closely in relation to the proposed Act, as well as the overall enhancement and protection of the Irish Language in Northern Ireland. This issue has been raised in discussions which my predecessor, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., and I have had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Shaun Woodward MP.

The Government remains fully committed to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement, including the provisions relating to the Irish Language.