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EU decision on Irish language vindicates Labour position

Issued : Monday 13 June, 2005

Labour Party Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Brian O’Shea, has welcomed today’s decision by EU Foreign Ministers to approve official working status for the Irish language in the European Union.

Deputy O’Shea commented, “Today’s decision vindicates the Labour Party’s position as outlined in a Dail motion we tabled in February last year calling for the Irish language to be given official status within the EU.

“Our efforts at that time brought the issue formally to the attention of the Oireachtas, and was a key component in encouraging the Government to campaign at international level on behalf of all Irish speakers.

“There are still many more ways in which the Irish language can be developed to encourage people to speak it.

“Today’s announcement must be accompanied at national level by a renewed focus on getting people actually to speak the language, rather than simply have it afforded official status in law.”