A delegation of Conradh na Gaeilge representatives met with Ministers in Stormont yesterday to discuss developments regarding an Irish language act for Northern Ireland.
The delegation from Conradh na Gaeilge consisted of President Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh, General Secretary Julian de Spáinn and Ruairí Ó Bléine of Comhaltas Uladh. Janet Muller of Pobal, the umbrella organisation for the Irish language community in Belfast, also formed part of the delegation.
The delegation met with Gerry Kelly MLA, a minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, and Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP, MLA.
Discussions revolved around ways in which individual Ministers could give the Irish language more prominence and promote its use within each of their own departments, as well as improving the quantity and quality of the services those departments provide in Irish.
Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh, President of Conradh an Gaeilge said: "It is obvious from the meetings today that an Irish language act for Northern Ireland is certainly on the agenda and that moreover, a lot can be done between now and the enactment of such legislation to develop individual department policies and services through Irish.
Conradh na Gaeilge will continue discussions with Ministers of the Assembly in the months ahead.
Conradh na Gaeilge is the main voluntary organisation promoting the Irish language in Ireland and abroad and members of the Conradh remain at the forefront of various different campaigns to realise and strengthen language rights for the Irish-speaking community across the globe.
Further information:
Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh
President, Conradh na Gaeilge.
01 4757401 / 087 236836
Julian de Spáinn
General Secretary, Conradh na Gaeilge.
01 4757401 / 086 8142757
