BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH
CALLS have been made for people in Strabane to register their support for an Irish Language Act that would accord the Irish Language with official status in the north.
It would also accord Irish speakers with statutory rights and equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
POBAL, the umbrella group of Irish language organisations, has forwarded proposals to the current consultation taking place into what shape an Irish Language Act for the north should take, and these proposals have been fully endorsed by the Irish speaking community.
At Gaelscoil Ui Dhohartaigh, principal Maire Ni Dhochartaigh, has already sent out a letter of petition to every parent of her pupils to lobby in support of the Act.
"We are asking for the parents' support in our call to have the Irish language afforded equal status. To that end we have sent out a letter, and another will go out today from Gaelphobal to parents.
"Irish should be given equal status to English, particularly for pupils at Gaelscoileanna so that they know the language is recognised and respected not just in school but in public life.
"Strabane Council works through both languages and that's great but we need to get to that level throughout the Six Counties."
Leading the call for support for the Irish Language Act is West Tyrone MLA, Barry McElduff, following a claim by DUP MP Gregory Campbell that his party his party would veto the Act.
Barry McElduff, Sinn Féin Chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee said, "The demand for an Irish Language Act is based upon the need to deliver on the rights of Irish speakers.
"It would be worth Gregory Campbell reflecting upon the reality that we all have vetoes which we can choose to use. This however will not bring about the sort of new future we all desire.
"The phenomenal growth of Irish language medium education in Tyrone is a reflection of the massive language revival that is taking place and it is essential that the Irish speaking community is accorded the same rights and opportunities that are accorded to Irish speakers in the 26 counties.
To register support for POBAL's 15 Bullet Points on the Second DCAL consultation paper on the Irish Language Act (see www.Pobal.org) before June 5th. Responses to the consultation should be sent to: Margaret Ó Keeffe, Irish Language Bill Team, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, 3rd Floor, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AQ, by 5pm on 5th June.
