§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the equal status afforded in the Belfast agreement of 1998 concerning the languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots, what instructions they are giving to all Northern Ireland Office organisations concerning their use. [HL3816]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)As I indicated in my Answer to the noble Lord of 1 May. (Official Report, WA 133), the Belfast agreement affirmed the parties recognition of the "importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland."
The Northern Ireland Office fully supports all aspects of the Belfast agreement, and in liaison with Northern Ireland departments will issue guidance on handling linguistic diversity in the near future.