The Celtic League has added its voice to concerns already expressed by Irish language organisations over the decision to have a further round of consultation before progressing statutory provisions for the language in the North of Ireland.

Celtic League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has written to British Culture Minister in the North, Maria Eagle, saying that the consultative process already followed has demonstrated "that there is massive support for the creation of an Irish language Act."

The correspondence (the text of which is set out below) has also been copied to the Foreign Minister in the Dublin government, Dermot Ahern, as his Department has a brief to monitor cultural commitments given by the British under the Belfast Agreement.

"Extended Consultation Period on the Irish language

The Celtic League is opposed to a further consultation period on Irish language legislation in Northern Ireland and sees this move as an attempt to delay the implementation of language laws that would further protect and promote the language in the north of Ireland.

The decision to set up a further 12 week consultation process shows that the Westminster Government was not serious about the commitment it made at St Andrews to implement appropriate legislation for the language. Moreover the initial consultation should have been enough to demonstrate that there is massive support for the creation of an Irish language Act.

Just last week the Council of Europe specifically asked the UK Government to develop a comprehensive Irish language policy, which would bring the north of Ireland more in line with the other Celtic countries. This legislation is needed immediately to prevent unfair treatment across the board.

Could it be that in delaying the process of creating the Act, by extending the consultation period, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure wants to hand over this responsibility to the Stormont Assembly, with the hope of Unionist politicians hijacking the process.

In view of the initial support for such legislation, it seems ludicrous that an additional consultation paper is needed. We therefore call on you to reconsider this additional consultation in order to prevent the log jam your prevarication looks set to create.

We look forward to hearing your views on this matter".

See also Celtic News:

No. 2137 IRISH LANGUAGE LEGISLATION IN THE NORTH - FURTHER CONSULTATION - Mar 14, 2007

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

18/03/07

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