Communities Minister shies away from timeframe on Irish Language Strategy

Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has shied away from committing to a timeframe to introduce an Irish Language Strategy.

There was a commitment in the New Decade New Approach deal in 2020 for an Irish Language Strategy and an Ulster Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategy in Northern Ireland.

Appearing before the Stormont Communities Committee on Thursday, Mr Lyons indicated work was ongoing within his department.

Committee chairman Colm Gildernew asked Mr Lyons whether he would give a firm commitment that an Irish Language Strategy will be published during his tenure as minister.

The minister responded: “That’s certainly the expectation… I can commit to taking matters to the Executive… I will take that to the Executive once the work of the cross-departmental working group is completed.

“That work is ongoing… we are currently examining what the budgetary consequences of each of the proposed actions will be, and they’ll be considering what work needs to be undertaken so that can be progressed to the next stage.”

Mr Gildernew asked for a timeline for the work.

Mr Lyons said: “I currently don’t have a timeline for either of those strategies. It will be dependent upon that work that is coming back but I pledge to you that we will keep the committee updated on these.”

Mr Gildernew also put to Mr Lyons that Conradh na Gaeilge said they have written to the minister “three times to ask to meet”, and said they have not had a meeting with him yet.

Mr Lyons responded saying in terms of the strategy, there is “a process in place”, adding that “we have all the information from them already”.