HL Deb 23 May 2002 vol 635 cc118-20WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the concept of parity of esteem and parity of treatment for the two traditions on the island of Ireland as set out in the Belfast Agreement of 1998; and [HL4110]

What direction the Belfast Agreement of 1998 gave to the Northern Ireland Court Service concerning parity of esteem in the provision of guidance and instructions in the languages of Irish and Ulster Scots. [HL4111]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

We accept unhesitatingly all the provisions of the Belfast Agreement. The agreement gives no specific directions to the Northern Ireland Court Service, but it makes a number of provisions concerning the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including the Irish language and Ulster Scots; and a number of other provisions relating specifically to the Irish language.