Irish Republican News · November 24, 2003

Call for Irish language legislation

Sinn Féin has called for the introduction of an Irish language bill in any new assembly. Launching the party's manifesto on language yesterday, Bairbre de Brun said: ``Sinn Féin has been to the forefront in promoting the importance and safeguarding the position of the Irish language and culture during the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement and since, on an all-Ireland basis,'' said Ms de Brun.

Included in the party's manifesto is a call for the rights of Irish language speakers to be recognised and protected in both the proposed Human Rights and Single Equality bills.

Ms de Brun outlined the party's demand for the establishment of an Irish language television channel and at least one Irish language radio station within five years.

Calling for the establishment of a third level college teaching through the medium of Irish, the Sinn Féin spokeswoman said: ``We have sought, both within the assembly and the executive, to ensure that the Irish language is accorded the status it deserves and that Irish and the use of Irish are facilitated and promoted.

``However much remains to be done to ensure the new beginning promised for the Irish language and culture in the Good Friday Agreement is delivered.

``That is why we have produced this manifesto and why we are committed to making Irish language provision a key component within the next assembly.''

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