“there is a mechanism to go back to the British..”
Interesting lines in the final paragraph in Sinn Féin MLA Francie Brolly’s response to some of the arguments against an Irish Language Act
“The British government has already given a commitment to ensure language rights and there is a mechanism to go back to the British if this is thwarted. But we’d rather not.”
Assuming that Francie Brolly actually believes this line.. Which mechanism would that be then?.. It’s probably true that the situation isn’t as clear-cut as that surrounding the devolution of policing and justice – as the language issue is already devolved – but the British Government’s position has been stated clearly to the House – “we would not legislate on a devolved matter, except with the Assembly’s acceptance and agreement.” – And to circumvent the Sewel Convention [pdf file] on devolved matters would demand that both the Scottish and Welsh administrations were also assured that this was a one-off, never to be repeated, incident..
Enjoyed it too fellas.
OÃche mhaith!
OILBIHEAR CHROMAILL
Interested, no doubt the legion of Sir Humphreys in Whitehall will try and wish away the commitment made in an international, binding, agreement between the British and Irish governments to introduce an Irish language Act.
In what sense (other than the moral) is the Agreement “binding�
(And, by the way, you don’t introduce an Act: you introduce a Bill.)
If the DUP/UUP renege on this agreement, then the Irish language community will call on the British Government to enact it at Westminster. if that fails, then the courts beckon.
Which court? On what grounds?
…tumbleweed
gaelgannaire – a fine and concise link at 3.50pm yesterday. Enjoyed.
I’m delighted to hear that Irish is spoken in pubs in Belfast city-centre and not just in West Belfast.
I too have tired of this debate here.