Baronino Royall de Blaisdon

...de la Baronino Royall de Blaisdon:

In the St Andrews Agreement the Government committed to introducing an Irish Language Act reflecting on the experience of Wales and Ireland and to work with the incoming Executive to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language.

Subsequently, in the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, a duty was placed on the Northern Ireland Executive to adopt a strategy to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language.

This strategy is still in preparation.

In addition, the Government published two consultation papers, in December 2006 and March 2007, setting out its proposed approach to an Irish Language Act. However, at the point of devolution in May 2007 responsibility for the Irish language, and for taking forward any legislation in this area, passed to the Northern Ireland Assembly.