§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6 November (WA 123) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, who has provided expert advice on Irish Language and on ulster-Scots culture, language and history since 1 December 1999; what the topic was; and how much was paid in each case. [HL395]
§ Lord Williams of MostynLinguistic Diversity Branch (LDB) is an administrative unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). The North/South Language Body has a remit to advise both governments on Irish and Ullans. DCAL has developed links with two Scottish Universities, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Aberdeen. LDB has also received advice from Mr Miguel Strubel, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya; Mr Joe Lo Bianco, Visiting Professor, Scottish CILT, University of Glasgow; Mr John Walter Jones, Chief Executive, Welsh Language Board; Mr Dauvit Horsbroch, Department of Celtic, University of Aberdeen; Professor Colin Williams, Department of Welsh, Cardiff University; and Dr Pádraig Ó Riagáin, Research Professor, Institiúd Teangeoldáiochta Éireann. Advice was sought in relation to broad-ranging minority language issues from these sources.
DCAL has also co-operated with a number of bodies such as the European Bureau for Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL), the European Centre for Minority Issues, Queen's University, Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Placenames Project of Northern Ireland on projects or conferences which would increase awareness of Irish language and Ulster-Scots, heritage and language.
Mr Donall Ó Riagáin has been engaged as specialist adviser in relation to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Mr Ó Riagáin is a former president and secretary general to the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages.
Professor Gerry Stockman was retained for a period as consultant to advise on standards of Irish language translations.
Views on Irish and Ulster-Scots have also been obtained through commissioned research.
Information on costs is not readily available but I will write to the noble Lord as soon as the information has been collated.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, has taken to advance the status of Ulster-Scots under the European Charter from Part 2 to Part 3 status; and whether it has fulfilled its obligations towards Ulster-Scots under Part 2.[HL416]
172WA
§ Lord Williams of MostynLinguistic Diversity Branch is an administrative unit of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). The remit of DCAL includes advising the Secretary of State and Northern Ireland departments on their obligations in respect of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Belfast Agreement.
The department also supports the work of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch of the North/South Language Body, in promoting greater awareness and use of Ullans which can contribute to raising its status.
The Government have submitted their report on the implementation of the charter to the Council of Europe. That report is now under consideration by the Committee of Experts who will, in due course, produce an opinion on the progress by the Government in fulfilling their obligations. A copy of that report has been placed in the Library of the House.