Irish language channel, TG4, should be broadcast on the British terrestrial digital television platform, SDLP MLA Mr Patsy McGlone claimed today.
Mr McGlone was part of a delegation led by Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Mr Tommy Gallagher which met Northern Ireland Office minister Mr Des Browne, called for Irish language speakers to be given the same treatment as Welsh and Scots Gaelic.
He said: "We noted £81 million a year is spent on the Welsh language with 500 hours per annum spent on programmes on BBC Wales. They also have the Welsh language channel, S4C on the digital platform.
"In Scotland, the Scots Gaelic Broadcasting Committee receives £8.5 million and £4 million is spent on the language in BBC Scotland.
"Under the Good Friday Agreement, the Government has a commitment to provide equal treatment for the Irish language and what we are saying is it should in the new broadcasting bill carry the station on the digital consortium and make it widely available to people in the north."
Mr McGlone said their delegation also called for an Irish language representative to be appointed to the regulatory body, OFCOM.
With the minister promising to hold another meeting with the party on the issue, the SDLP councillor continued: "We have a situation, unlike Wales when S4C was set up, where TG4 is already up and running.
"There is an increase and upsurge of interest in the language. A lot of people want to learn Irish, are learning Irish, are speaking Irish.
"TG4 is a popular channel with well-made programmes. I have no doubt people would enjoy their programmes if it were available to them and it would facilitate their command of Irish and the growth of the language."
Mr McGlone who was joined by Down councillor Ms Margaret Ritchie at the meeting, hoped the British Government was beginning to address its "reluctance" in the past to help promote Irish speaking.
PA