HL Deb 06 May 2004 vol 660 cc125-6WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 21 April (WA 37) concerning the Republic of Ireland's Official Languages Act, whether any discussions about the implications of the Act have taken place between officials of the two governments; if so, when and what was the result; whether legal advice was sought by the Government; and, if so, what was that advice. [HL2517]

Baroness Amos

Discussions between relevant officials North and South took place on a number of occasions. The most recent formal discussion was on 19 March 2004 when it was agreed that a code of practice reflecting the legal and policy frameworks established in both jurisdictions on the use of Irish language and Ulster-Scots would be prepared. Information on whether legal advice was sought and, if so, its content is exempt from disclosure under paragraphs 2 and 4 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.