{"id":25701,"date":"2022-04-05T09:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T13:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25701"},"modified":"2022-04-05T09:50:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-05T13:50:13","slug":"over-1000-sign-letter-calling-for-irish-language-legislation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25701","title":{"rendered":"Over 1,000 Sign Letter Calling For Irish Language Legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The open letter has been sent to the Irish and UK governments, as well as all the Stormont parties (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More than 1,000 people have signed an open letter to the Irish and UK governments and Stormont parties calling for Irish language legislation in the North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letter comes after British secretary of state Brandon Lewis announced last week that a planned cultural package including new legislation around the Irish language will not be introduced before the Stormont elections in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plans include an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression to promote respect for diversity as well as an Irish Language Commissioner and a commissioner to develop language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots\/Ulster British tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irish language campaigners have accused the UK of \u201cpublicly reneging on a clear commitment given to move the legislation in Westminster by October 2021 and again by the end of the Stormont mandate\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signatories include boxer Michael Conlan, GAA stars Neil McManus, Cathy Carey, and Rory Grugan; singer Grainne Holland; 2021 Turner Prize winners Emma Campbell and Stephen Millar from the Array Collective; community Irish language activist Linda Ervine; alongside renowned academics Professor Alan Titley and Professor Phil Scraton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conch\u00far \u00d3 Muadaigh, spokesperson for An Dream Dearg, has urged that promises are fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur community was promised a new era of equality in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat \u2018resolute action\u2019 for the Irish language has never been realized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTime and time again our rights have been denied, vetoed and obstructed by the DUP and others who have yet to accept Irish speakers as equal members of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday\u2019s letter is a firm display of community support for our campaign for language rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople have had enough of the empty promises and false dawns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is entirely reasonable for people to expect governments to keep to their word and deliver on commitments, deadlines and obligations they have given.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added: \u201cOur campaign is calling time on the continuous marginalization of our language and our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe British government must fulfil their own promises and commitments without any further delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot only are they co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews, they, alongside the Irish government, are also co-authors of this Irish language legislation published as a cornerstone component of New Decade New Approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis issue remains an urgent litmus test for the British government and our political institutions. Language rights originally promised in 2006 must finally be delivered, implemented and respected.\u201d<\/p>\n

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