Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour) on Thursday, 29 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 July 2003. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Thursday, 3 July 2003 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the workplace and (b) the use of written Irish in public through (i) signage and (ii) other measures; what training has been given to (a) staff and (b) Commissioners at the Equality Commission on language rights, with particular reference to the rights of Irish speakers.

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; [116907] (2) what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the workplace and (b) the use of written Irish in public through (i) signage and (ii) other measures; [116905] (3) what training has been given to (a) staff and (b) Commissioners at the Equality Commission on language rights, with particular reference to the rights of Irish speakers. [116906] Mr. Spellar: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to write to the hon. Member on these matters. Copies of the letters will be placed in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 408 c467W; 116907;116905;116906
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Human rights Languages Irish language Northern Ireland Training Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk