HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc169-70WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress they are making in their representations to the Government of the Irish Republic concerning that government's implementation of the part of the Belfast agreement relating to the recognition of language and culture for the Ulster Scots movement. [HL159]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Irish Government are committed under the Good Friday agreement to recognising the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic and cultural diversity.

The Government have not made any representations to the Irish Government regarding the recognition of language and culture for the Ulster Scots movement. However implementation of that part of the Good Friday agreement which relates to Ulster Scots is being taken forward by the Ulster Scots Agency of the North South language body which was set up following the brokering of the agreement.