Adams' pleas for protection of Irish speaker in the North
The Irish Government must protect the rights of Irish speakers in the North, it was claimed today.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams today met Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O'Cuiv in Dublin to push for the enactment of an Irish Language Act in the Stormont Assembly.
In October, Northern Ireland Culture Minister Edwin Poots and DUP MLA ruled out introducing an Irish Language Act because he claimed it would prove too divisive and costly.
But Mr Adams said today: “Sinn Féin feels very strongly that the Irish Government has a responsibility to ensure that Irish speakers have their rights protected.
“It’s my very firm opinion that there will be an Irish Language Act.
“I note that when Minister Poots ruled out an Act he said ’at this time’ so he himself hasn’t ruled it out. He hasn’t closed the door on the Act.”
Mr Adams said he asked Mr O’Cuiv to raise the issue with the British government.
The West Belfast MP said he had held meetings with Mr Poots and First Minister Rev Ian Paisley on the issue.
Mr O'Cuiv said after today’s meeting with Mr Adams in Leinster House that the Irish Language Act is enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrew’s Agreement and the Irish Government was keen that all the commitments entered into in the pacts are honoured.
The Gaelic-speaking minister said that he has discussed the issue with Mr Poots in the past and both offices are in constant contact.
“The co-operation between the two of us is at a very high level,” he added.
Sinn Fein representatives Aengus O'Snodaigh and Francie Brolly also met with Mr O'Cuiv.
Meanwhile Mr Brolly has said that a decision by Aer Lingus to drop its Irish language greeting onboard Belfast flights was “political correctness gone mad.”
“This is a silly and illogical move,” added the East Derry MLA said.
“The fact of the matter is that the Irish language is a threat to no-one and is the property of all the people on the island of Ireland.
“Aer Lingus should know that multilingualism and multiculturalism should be championed rather than lambasted.”
Mr Adams added that the revival of the Irish language has been Ireland’s cultural success story.
“It adds its own special thread to the rich tapestry of world cultures that enriches all our lives. It has been spoken on this island in an unbroken historical line for 2,000 years,” he said.
