Petition · past parliament

The British government must fulfil Irish language pledge.

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

The DUP are currently refusing to implement the Irish Language Act, which was agreed on in the St Andrew's Agreement. Instead, they openly mock those who speak Gaelic refuse to honour their commitment.

This can be confirmed by former Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/irish-language-act-was-agreed-at-st-andrews-says-exminister-36207633.html

https://www.irishnews.com/news/2018/02/02/news/secretary-of-state-hears-groups-desire-for-irish-language-act-and-same-sex-marriage-1247380/

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

Since the restoration of devolution in May 2007, language issues have mainly been the responsibility of the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland.

You could start a new petition calling on the UK Parliament to take back this responsibility and then introduce an Irish Language Act in Northern Ireland, if that's what you would like to happen.

Timeline

19 Mar 2018 Petition opened for signatures
18 Apr 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11
Status Rejected
Rejected 18 Apr 2018

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.