UK ministers urged to protect Irish language

Irish language activists have called on the UK government to ensure the introduction of legislative protections for Gaelic speakers amid a Stormont stalemate on the matter.

Demonstrators held a picket outside Hillsborough Castle and handed in letters urging Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to intervene.

A row over whether an Irish Language Act should be enshrined in law in Northern Ireland is one of the main obstacles preventing the reestablishment of powersharing.

It is one of Sinn Fein’s preconditions for re-entering devolved government. The Democratic Unionists have indicated a willingness to legislate to protect Irish language rights but only if similar measures are introduced for the Ulster Scots community.