IRISH LANGUAGE - SCRAP BILL CALL

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday August 06, 2002 22:42 by CELT EIRE

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

Delegates from the Irish branch of the Celtic League to the organisations AGM on the Isle of Man this weekend spelled out forcefully their concerns and opposition to the new Irish Language Bill (the Official Languages Bill (Equality) 2002).

CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION

IRISH LANGUAGE - SCRAP BILL CALL

Delegates from the Irish branch of the Celtic League to the organisations
AGM on the Isle of Man this weekend spelled out forcefully their concerns
and opposition to the new Irish Language Bill (the Official Languages
Bill (Equality) 2002).

The issue formed part of several discussions culminating in a full
debate on the Celtic languages at the final session of the conference.

The Irish branch moved a resolution expressing that:

"This AGM calls on the Irish Government to scrap the Official Languages
Bill (Equality) 2002 which is weak and ineffectual as a so-called
instrument to guarantee Irish Language Rights and which places far
too much reliance on the use of Ministerial Powers. New and effective
legislation should be introduced as a matter of urgency."

The motion was unanimously endorsed.

Further detail and analysis on the Irish branch concerns about the
Bill can be found in the current issue of Carn (No 117). which is
available from League branch secretaries or direct from the Editor,
Patricia Bridson, 33 Céide na Grianóige, Ráth Cúil, Co. Átha Cliath,
Éire (price E3:00 0r Stg£2-50).

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses
on human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the
impact of military activity.

Internet site at

http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/