Write a commentNewry & Mourne Councillor Barra Ó Muirí has said that the Irish Language belongs to everyone. The Councillor who is his Sinn Fein Party's local spokesperson on the Irish Language was speaking as his colleague Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín launched a consultation on proposals for an Irish Language Bill.
Commenting on the proposals Barra said "The Minister has announced details of the 12 week consultation process. The Irish language is not the preserve of any particular group or of any section of the community; it is part of our shared cultural heritage and it belongs to everyone. There is a necessity to protect the interests of Irish speakers and to put in place a solid foundation which affords everyone an equal opportunity to learn the language, should they wish to do so.
“The strategy on the development of the Irish Language, which The Minister published at the end of last month, seeks to promote a much wider understanding of the language and the consultation she has announced will generate a much needed debate on the benefits of placing the Irish language on a statutory footing".
The Sinn Féin elected representative continued “Evidence has shown that the needs of minority language users are served better when they have the appropriate legislative endorsement. The Welsh and Gaelic Languages’ are protected through legislation which has been passed by the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament respectively and I trust that this consultation will help ensure that this Assembly will realise the benefits of giving legal status to the Irish Language.This consultation document contains a wide range of proposals and will allow the public to see the range of provisions which Acht na Gaeilge might contain".
Some of the proposals in the consultation document include: Official status for the Irish language, the use of Irish in the courts, the use of Irish in the Assembly, an Irish Language Commissioner, the use of Irish by public bodies, the provision of Irish language schemes - provision for Gaeltacht areas, the provision of place names in Irish, guarantees for Irish language education"
The Councillor concluded "There is absolutely nothing for anyone to fear from enhancing and protecting the Irish Language in a way which will enable it to make a lasting and meaningful contribution towards building a strong and united community. It will not in any way threaten or displace the English Language but sit alongside it as a living and vibrant language. I encourage everyone to make their views known and contribute to what I hope and trust will be a positive debate and one which is conducted in a mature and constructive manner.”
The consultation closes on Tuesday 5 May 2015 and you can download it below.
