The Government must protect the rights of Irish speakers in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said today.
Mr Adams met Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív in Dublin to push for an Irish Language Act in the Stormont Assembly.
In October, Northern Ireland Culture Minister Edwin Poots of the DUP ruled out introducing an Irish Language Act because he claimed it would prove too divisive and costly.
But Mr Adams said today: "Sinn Féin feels very strongly that the Irish Government has a responsibility to ensure that Irish speakers have their rights protected.
"It's my very firm opinion that there will be an Irish Language Act. I note that when Minister Poots ruled out an Act he said 'at this time' so he himself hasn't ruled it out. He hasn't closed the door on the Act."
Mr Adams said he asked Mr O'Cuiv to raise the issue with the British government, and that he had held meetings with Mr Poots and First Minister Rev Ian Paisley on the issue.
Mr O Cuiv said that the Irish Language Act is enshrined in the Belfast Agreement and the St Andrew's Agreement, and the Irish Government was keen that all the commitments entered into in the pacts are honoured.
Sinn Féin's Francie Brolly, who also attended today's meeting, said a decision by Aer Lingus to drop its Irish language greeting on Belfast flights was "political correctness gone mad".
PA