Language JC 7 December 2001

1. The third meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in its Language Sector was held in Newcastle on Friday 7 December, 2001. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the Language Body and its two constituent agencies, Foras na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Agency), and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch (The Ulster Scots Agency). The Language Body is one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies.

2. The Northern Ireland Executive was represented by Mr Michael Mc Gimpsey MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, who chaired the meeting, and Ms Bairbre de Brún, MLA, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Irish Government was represented by Ms Máire Ní Chochláin, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.

3. The meeting commenced with a progress report on the activities of the Body, by Maighréad Uí Mháirtín, Joint Chairperson and by the Interim Chief Executives of the two agencies, Mícheál de Hál of Foras na Gaeilge and Stan Mallon of Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch.

4. The Ministers welcomed the considerable progress made in establishing the North/South Language Body, and its two Agencies, and the volume of work, which has been carried out by the Agencies to date. The Council looked forward to continued progress by Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch in the future.

5. The Ministers received updates on the Corporate Planning issues relating to Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulster-Scotch. A revised Corporate Plan for the Ulster Scots Agency will include proposals on staffing for the Agency. The plan will also set out a strategy for Linguistic Development and Educational programs, as well as the further development of Ulster Scots cultural activities. The Corporate Planning issues considered in respect of Foras na Gaeilge included an outline of the Agency's proposed activities for 2002, which incorporates initiatives in the educational sphere, the community and business sector, the public sector, the arts, and in research. Initiatives to achieve best practice in management and personnel will also be undertaken.

6. The Council considered the Draft Equality Scheme for the Language Body, and approved the submission of the scheme to an eight week public consultation process. The final scheme will then be submitted to the NSMC for approval.

7. The Council approved the draft Targeting Social Need (TSN) Action Plans and noted their submission to a public consultation process.

8. The statutory functions of Foras na Gaeilge include responsibility for the development of dictionaries and terminology. It has been forty years since the last official review of Irish grammar and spelling was undertaken. The Council considered that it was now timely to consider a review of the requirements of the language and it asked Foras na Gaeilge to take a lead role in a consultative process with a view to bringing proposals to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and in turn to the North/South Ministerial Council, on the steps necessary for review of the official standard of written Irish. As part of this process Foras na Gaeilge will consult with appropriate individuals, groups and organisations.

Codes of Conduct

9. The Council approved a Code of Conduct that has been drawn up for Board Members of Foras na Gaeilge and the Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch. A Code of Conduct for the Staff of Foras na Gaeilge was also approved. A Code of Conduct for the Staff of Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch will be submitted when the Agency recruits its staff complement. An integrated Code of Conduct for the Language Body itself will be submitted to the next meeting of the Council.

10. The Council noted the resignation of Ms Lyn Franks from the Board of the North/South Language Body, and approved the appointment of Mr Eamon Ó Domhnaill to the Language Board for the unexpired period of Ms Franks term. The Council expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the contribution made by Ms. Franks to the work of the Language Body, and wished her well for the future.

11. The Council also approved the selection process for the recruitment of a Chief Executive for Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch.

Date of Next Meeting

12. The Council agreed to meet again in this Sectoral format in the South in March 2002.

Joint Secretariat

7 December 2001