Alliance Calls For Full Implementation Of Language Act

Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has welcomed the Secretary of State’s confirmation that he will commence Section 4 of the Identity and Language (NI) Act 2022, clarifying the repeal of the ban on languages other than English in Northern Ireland courts. 

Bradshaw emphasised that the move, while belated, is welcome: “The Secretary of State’s move next week to commence Section 4 of the Identity and Language Act, on the use of languages other than English in court proceedings, is belated but welcome,” she said. “Similar laws banning the use of languages other than English in courts were repealed in Scotland and Wales in the 19th century, so it is well past time that we clarified a similar repeal in law in Northern Ireland.”

She also highlighted that while the move is of interest to Irish language activists, it applies to all languages other than English, reinforcing the need for full implementation of the Act.

“While this move is naturally of significant interest to Irish language activists, it applies to all languages other than English and so also reinforces the need to move forward with the Identity and Language Act in its entirety, and not least with the appointment of the three relevant Commissioners,” Bradshaw stated.

She criticized the delay in appointments by the First and deputy First Minister, stating, "Those appointments, like so many others due to be made by the First and deputy First Minister, are now long overdue.

“This move to implement part of the Act should now be matched by swift moves to implement all the other parts, and that requires appointments to proceed swiftly so that the relevant bodies can be established and get on with their work. There is no excuse for further delay.”