HL Deb 06 November 2002 vol 640 cc119-21WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the steps taken in appointing a chief executive to the Irish Language Agency set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998; when they were taken; when the appointment was ratified by the appropriate implementation body; and what was that body. [HL6166]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

On 27 June 2001 at a meeting in Waterways Sector format the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) approved the procedure for the recruitment, by open competition, of a chief executive for Foras na Gaeilge, the Irish Language Agency, of the North/South Language Body. A steering group comprising representatives of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (DAHGI) and Foras na Gaeilge (FnaG) oversaw the process. FnaG appointed consultants to manage the process. The steering group and consultants met on 29 June 2001. From 16 July 2001 advertisements were placed in newspapers. The steering group met on 5 September 2001 when it produced a shortlist. On 21 September 2001 an Irish language proficiency test was held. The selection panel of representatives of DCAL, DAHGI, FnaG and an independent observer met for a pre-brief on 9 October 2001 and held selection interviews on 2 November 2001. On 27 November 2001 NSMC agreed in principle the suitability of the recommended candidate. It confirmed the appointment on 25 January 2002. The joint chairperson of the body, M á íghr éad Uí Mháirtín, issued a letter of appointment effective from 1 February 2002.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the decision of 9 October by the North/ South Ministerial Council, set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998, to approve the continuation of the recruitment process for two assistant editor posts to be filled by the Irish Language Agency, when the recruitment process started; who conducted it; under what equality legislation it is being conducted; why approval was only required for its continuation and not its start; what is the salary scale involved and whether any appointees will be required to start at the lower level. [HL6243]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

The recruitment process for two assistant editor posts began in June 2002 and was conducted by Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency) in accordance with Republic of Ireland legislation.

Foras na Gaeilge did not think initially that the approval of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) for these posts was needed since the agency was not incurring any costs. Subsequently, after the recruitment process had begun, Foras na Gaeilge learnt that NSMC approval was required. NSMC approval was sought and received at a meeting of the NSMC in October 2002.

The salary scale for the post is €23.769.50–€43,600.27.

One appointment has been made on the fourth point of the scale (€30,414.04) and discussions are currently taking place with a second person.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is meant by the wording state culture in Section IV, Paragraph 2, of the business plan for the Irish Language Agency, created under the terms of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 and approved by the North/South Ministerial Council in spring 2002: whether the promotion of culture is now part of the remit of the agency; if so, when this decision was taken; and by whom. [HL6284]

Lord Williams of Mostyn:

The statutory functions assigned to Foras na Gaeilge (FnaG) are:

The promotion of the Irish language;

Facilitating and encouraging the use of Irish in speech and writing, in public and private life in the south and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in the north where there is appropriate demand;

Advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;

Undertaking supportive projects and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;

Undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;

Developing terminology and dictionaries;

Supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.

The North/South Ministerial Council on 14 June 2002 approved the Foras na Gaeilge business plan which set out the activities the agency intended to undertake in 2002 to fulfil its statutory functions across a range of business areas, including promoting the use of Irish in the state, culture & heritage sectors.