Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 16°CSunday 15°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityNewsPolitics

No Irish language legislation before Assembly election

written by cassoscoop March 29, 2022
ShareTweet

The British Secretary of State has said he will not bring forward Irish language legislation at Westminster before May’s Assembly election.

Brandon Lewis told MPs it would not be “right or proper to introduce it in the election period”.

It was originally expected he would introduce the legislation before the end of the assembly mandate, which has just ended.

Voters go to the polls in the North of Ireland on Thursday 5 May.

Speaking to MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Mr Lewis also said that there was no agreement between the Stormont parties on what the titles of cultural commissioners should be.

He said planned legislation, which was part of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) deal which restored devolution in January 2020, could not proceed at Westminster until there was agreement on what the commissioners should be called.

Draft provisions for new Irish language laws and a language strategy were included in the NDNA agreement.

The legislation would give the language official status, allow the use of Irish in courts and see the appointment of commissioners for Irish and Ulster Scots.

Mr Lewis was asked if the hold-up was due to the fact there was opposition to one of the commissioners being referred to as a British commissioner.

He would not confirm this was the case, but simply said there was no agreement on the commissioners’ titles.

The delay has been criticised by Conradh na Gaeilge.

The Irish Language rights group also said a letter from NIO Minster Conor Burns had confirmed the situation.

The group said the letter to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairman Simon Hoare confirmed the government would not be legislating this side of the Stormont election:

It said Mr Burns stated that “due to pressures on the parliamentary timetable, including legislation on the situation in Ukraine, it has regrettably not been possible to do so”.

Paula Melvin, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, said: “At every juncture they have decided not to prioritise this legislation, or to kick it further down the line to suit their own political agenda.

“We aren’t surprised. We told them time and time again if not resolved, this issue would re-emerge throughout the election and afterwards remain a core outstanding issue.

“They decided not to act on that.

“Our community will continue to organise and ensure this issue remains to the fore during the election and throughout the following negotiations to form a new executive. “

No Irish language legislation before Assembly election was last modified: March 29th, 2022 by cassoscoop

Tags:
Brandon LewisBRITISH SECRETARY OF STATEirishNew DecadeNew Decade New Approach agreementNo Irish language legislation before Assembly electionNorthern Ireland Affairs CommitteePaula MelvinPresident of Conradh na GaeilgeUlster-Scots
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Covid-19: North’s self-isolation guidance reduced to five...

9 hours ago

RIA invited to Derry to share expertise...

9 hours ago

Bohs 2-3 City: Back-to-back wins for Derry

20 hours ago

Creggan Day Centre clients celebrate ‘Getting back...

1 day ago

Funding support now available for Good Relations...

1 day ago

Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival returns

1 day ago

Seenoi-Barr welcomes council’s backing for Protocol

1 day ago

‘Energy price rises will leave families in...

1 day ago

NW rail expansion: Derry councillors oppose housing...

1 day ago

City manager: We need to build on...

1 day ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022
  • Glenapp Castle: Only a few miles from home but a million miles away

    December 20, 2021
  • DD Travel Feature: The Unsung Shores of Portugal

    November 12, 2021
  • Derry meeting led young Donegal woman to high profile murder

    July 16, 2021
  • DD Travel: Living like a local in Lixouri

    December 17, 2020

Courts

  • ‘Inquest verdict vindication of family’s fight for truth’

    June 29, 2022
  • Unarmed Derry mother was shot by soldier in ‘unjustified’ circumstances

    June 29, 2022
  • Man charged with dangerous driving after car crash

    June 14, 2022
  • Derry couple’s romantic encounter disturbed by Gardai during lockdown

    June 13, 2022
  • Four men charged over commercial burglaries

    June 12, 2022

Donegal Daily

  • Urgent appeal for housing for locals in south west Donegal

    5 hours ago
  • Well-known Donegal seaside restaurant hits the market

    1 day ago
  • Former boxer escapes prison after paying €7,650 compo to assault victim

    1 day ago

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Derry Daily

© 2022 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


Back To Top

Posting....