IRISH LANGUAGE

Early day motion 337, tabled 5 January 2004 by Rudi Vis (Labour). Signed by 48 members.

That this House welcomes the nine languages which will be added to the existing 11 official languages of the European Union, but regrets that the Irish language will not be included; invites the Irish Government to insist on the inclusion of the Irish language in that it will culturally enrich Ireland and therefore Europe; and notes that as an official language of the European Union, it will give bilingual Irish speakers access to employment to which they otherwise may be denied.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 5, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1.