Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his policy is on the promotion of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement.

In the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government reaffirmed “the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland, consistent with the Council of Europe Charter on Regional or Minority Languages”.

Under the devolution settlement the UK Government retains responsibility for broadcasting, whilst the majority of responsibility for language issues rests with the Northern Ireland Executive, including policy relating to the promotion of minority languages, including Irish. Education is also a devolved matter in Northern Ireland.

In relation to broadcasting, the BBC Charter Review considered the BBC’s contribution to minority language broadcasting. The BBC Framework Agreement includes, for the first time, a specific clause which provides a clear commitment for the BBC to continue to deliver output in the Irish, and Ulster-Scots, language.

The Government has also committed to funding the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund and the Ulster-Scots Broadcasting Fund over this Spending Review period, which are administered through Northern Ireland Screen.