Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made on implementing all aspects of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030 that are relevant to his Department and bodies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8621/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been proactive in implementing the three action points assigned to it in the Government's 2018-2022 Action Plan for the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. We have engaged extensively with the Trasna Na dTonnta Twitter campaign (including in the latest round of activities as run over the period 4th-8th February 2019) and supported the Cultúr Club diaspora initiative.

The Government has also consistently engaged with the British Government and all of the political parties in Northern Ireland in pursuit of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland, as envisaged under the St Andrews Agreement and continues to seek progress with this as an outstanding commitment from the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent Agreements.

My Department's Irish Language Officer, in conjunction with our Training and Development Unit, regularly encourages the use of the language by Department staff both at home and abroad. Ireland's network of diplomatic missions abroad likewise engages in frequent promotion of the Irish language wherever possible, particularly around Seachtain na Gaeilge and St. Patrick's Day.

There are no bodies under my Department's remit.