The Government is to make formal representations to the European Commission to have Irish recognised as an official EU language.
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr O Cuiv, confirmed today that the Cabinet had unanimously agreed to meet the Commission and representatives of other EU member states as part of the process.
"People fully recognise the importance of the Irish language as part of the rich cultural heritage we have," he said. "The next step is to go and talk to all the other member states and to evaluate their reaction."
In Brussels, European Commission spokesman Mr Erik Mamer declined to comment.
There has been considerable public pressure for the Government to make the move with over 80,000 people signing an international petition organised by lobby group, Stadas. The group also led a 5,000-strong march to the Dail in April calling for the language to be officially recognised.
The Irish language umberella group Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge today welcomed the decision describing it as "historic".
Pressure for the move mounted when Ireland held the EU presidency this year during the accession of ten new countries. Campaigners pointed out what they believed to be an anomalous situation in that languages spoken by relatively small populations such as Slovene, Latvian and Maltese would have official recognition while the language of a long-standing member would not.
Fine Gael spokesman for also Gaeltacht Affairs welcomed the move: "This is a cause which has had all-party support and I am glad to see that the Minister is at last seeking agreement on the practical conditions necessary to grant Irish its rightful status."
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Mr Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said the decision was " a very good result for the determined efforts of many people".
Additional reporting: Reuters