Positive promotion of the Irish language must be central to Programme for Government 2011-2016
March 3, 2011
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge extends its congratulations to all who were elected as Teachtaí Dála for the period 2011-2016. Now that the results of the election have been announced in almost all constituencies, a new Government will soon be established, and the Programme for Government will be confirmed. An Chomhdháil will work to ensure that Irish language issues are addressed within the Programme for Government.
The pre-election campaign undertaken by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge centred around four distinct principles: The importance of the Irish language as part of our national identity; Protecting and strengthening the status of the Irish language; Promotion of Irish as a living language both inside and outside of An Ghaeltacht; and the right of each citizen to use Irish in every aspect of their life.
Prior to the election, An Chomhdháil submitted a list of demands to all political parties, and all independent candidates throughout the country, and An Chomhdháil intends to work diligently over the coming weeks to ensure this list of 10 demands is taken into account when the Programme for Government 2011-2016 is being prepared.
Pádraig Mac Criostail, Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge said: “An Chomhdháil demands that the Irish language policy effected by the next Government have a factual basis and utilise the measures of best practice from the field of language planning. We will contact each member of the new Government to ensure that each of our 10 priorities for the Programme for Government 2011-2016 are fully implemented”.
