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Conradh na Gaeilge highlight need for Irish-language legislation during Council of Europe Committee of Experts (COMEX) visit

Conradh na Gaeilge highlight need for Irish-language legislation during Council of Europe Committee of Experts (COMEX) visit

As Belfast City Council launch new Language Strategy Conradh na Gaeilge urge State to implement outstanding Strategy & Legislation

COE COMEX 

During a meeting with the Council of Europe Committee of Experts (COMEX) today (14 May 2018) in Belfast, Conradh na Gaeilge highlighted the consistent failure of the British Government and of the Assembly previously regarding the implementation of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages (ECRML). COMEX are in Belfast today on their 6th Monitoring visit since the British Government ratified the ECRML in 2001.

Today’s COMEX visit follows a similarly themed Council of Europe Report (21 February 2018) regarding the Resolution on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities by the United Kingdom, which recommended:

- Adopt appropriate legislation protecting and promoting the Irish language and take measures to  ensure progress on language rights of Irish Speakers;

- the UK Government should engage in a  dialogue to create the political consensus needed for adopting legislation

Dr Niall Comer, President, Conradh na Gaeilge, said:

Conradh na Gaeilge made it very clear today to the COMEX delegation that the British Government have failed in their duties regarding the implementation of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages here in terms of the Irish language provision, and have, to date, failed to implement the legislation that they had promised to introduce as part of the 2006 St Andrew’s Agreement. In each of the previous monitoring reports published by COMEX in relation to the Irish language, they have strongly criticised the British Government for their lack of compliance and lack of action on these issues, stemming almost twenty years. These reports have also consistently referenced the outstanding commitments regarding rights-based legislation here. We fully expect the coming report to include the same criticism, conclusions and recommendations. Conradh na Gaeilge call on the British Government to finally take note of the COMEX report and to take the ‘resolute action’ promised to ensure to promotion and protection of the Irish Language here.

Conradh na Gaeilge is also in the process of submitting a written submission to COMEX and recommends that both community groups and individuals submit similar deputations. Interested parties can contact Conradh na Gaeilge for further information.

At the same time this morning (Monday 14 May 2018) Conradh na Gaeilge was present at Belfast City Hall for the launch of the new Belfast City Council Language Strategy 2018-23.

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Advocacy Manager, Conradh na Gaeilge said:

Conradh na Gaeilge welcomes the launch of this new 5 year language strategy by Belfast City Council today, especially the provisions regarding the Irish language. Belfast is widely recognised for it’s on-going contribution to the community-led Irish Language revival and is home to an ever-growing number of Irish-medium schools, learners and speakers. In recent years however, Belfast has been falling behind in terms of local Council provision and recognition, in comparison with other local council policies, which was in contravention with international standards as outlined in the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and other treaties.

The launch of the Language Strategy today however, adds to several historic steps taken by the Council in recent times, as per their Linguistic Diversity Policy launched in 2017 and most recently the advertising of a full-time Irish-language Officer within the Council.

As was highlighted by today’s guest speaker, Professor Janice Carruthers, QUB, at the launch of the Language Strategy, this is the only place on these islands that does not have language policy at state level, as exists in the south, in Wales and in Scotland. The only satisfactory resolution to this in terms of the Irish Language is the implementation of protective legislation alongside a Strategy to protect and enhance the development of the Irish language, as have been previously promised.

END

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin

Advocacy Manager, Conradh na Gaeilge

00 44 28 90 315647 | 00 44 7545293841| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh

Communications Executive, Conradh na Gaeilge

00 44 28 90 315647 | 00 44 77 16690237 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community. The Conradh has over 200 branches and numerous individual members registered around the world, members that work hard to promote the use of Irish in their own areas. Conradh na Gaeilge’s main aim is to promote the use of Irish as the standard language in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge was established by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, and their colleagues on the 31st of July 1893. The organisation runs Irish-language courses; advocates for the language rights of Irish-speakers; raises awareness about the language; hosts the international Irish-language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge; manages the Irish-language information hub PEIG.ie and the Irish-language bookshop An Siopa Leabhar; supports Raidió Rí-Rá; and much more. More informationwww.cnag.ie

For further information on the Committee of Experts from the Council of Europe (COMEX) and the on-going monitoring round regarding the European Charter for Regional and Minority languages, see:

https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/reports-and-recommendations#{"28993157":[24]}  

For further information

Is féidir teacht fosta ar eolas maidir le Tuarascáil Chreat-Choinbhinsiúin um Chosaint na Mionlach Náisiúnta ag an Ríocht Aontaithe (21/2/2018):

https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectID=0900001680787538

http://www.coe.int/en/web/minorities/united-kingdom

http://www.coe.int/en/web/minorities/home

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.