Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the failure to recognise Irish sign language as an official language breaches the 1998 British-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32158/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that interpretation of the law in relation to a particular subject matter is not a function of mine in relation to a Parliamentary Question. However, I can refer the Deputy to my response to Question No. 257 of 28 April, 2009. The position remains that the Government has no proposals to give recognition to Irish sign language as a third official language.

Policy in the area of language for people with disabilities is reflected in the Education Act 1998 (learning through Irish Sign Language), the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (language assessment) and the Disability Act 2005 (Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies).