Three Opposition parties will table a joint motion before the Dáil next week calling for Irish to be recognised as an official language of the European Union.
The motion to be tabled by Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party will be debated next Monday and Tuesday.
Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny said the Government should avail of the "unique opportunity" afforded by Ireland's presidency of the EU to gain official recognition for Irish.
Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte said: "If the Dáil passes this motion next week it would considerably strengthen the hand of the government in raising this issue with the EU."
Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent said Ireland was the only country, which signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957 and subsequent treaties of Accession, not to have her language officially recognised.
He cited Malta — which will join the EU in May — which has already got recognition for it languge despite having fewer national language speakers than Ireland.
"The decision of the Irish Government, in 1972, to exclude Irish, significantly disadvantaged their own people. Though late, it is both possible and necessary to correct the mistake now," Mr Sargent said.