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This is an historic \u201cred letter\u201d day for the Irish language, Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s president has declared.<\/p>\nThis is an historic \u201cred letter\u201d day for the Irish language, Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s president has declared.<\/p>\n
Mary Lou McDonald said the decision to bestow official recognition was only the start and the language would evolve and deepen.<\/p>\n
She added it was about marking a standard for inclusivity right across society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not about winners or losers, this is about a society that makes room for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said it was an important day for recognition of Irish identity.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI would say to Irish language activists take heart from the fact that this is now an historic moment because for the first time we have official recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said everyone who embraced diversity and respect across the island of Ireland should regard that as a positive thing.<\/p>\n
Activists who have campaigned to strengthen the place of Irish have given a guarded welcome to the deal.<\/p>\n
They said the plan drafted by the British and Irish Governments following three years of talks with the Stormont parties fell far short of their key demand of a stand-alone Irish language act.<\/p>\n
A commissioner would help protect the language while a translation hub would provide services across the devolved Government at Stormont.<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in leader dismissed suggestions the DUP could have a veto on the commissioner\u2019s work due to its links to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.<\/p>\n
There would also be additional support for Ulster Scots, including in education.<\/p>\n
Ms McDonald said: \u201cThere is a lot more work to do and I fully expect that Irish language activists will continue to press for progress, I encourage them to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n