A chara, - Following Dr Pádraig Ó Laighin's comprehensive and succinct argument for making Irish a working language with the EU I would like to point out that 30 Westminster MPs have given their support to Dr Rudi Vis's early day motion put forward in the House of Commons on January 5th:
"That this House welcomes the nine languages which will be added to the existing 11 official languages of the European Union, but regrets that the Irish language will not be included; invites the Irish Government to insist on the inclusion of the Irish language in that it will culturally enrich Ireland and therefore Europe; and notes that as an official language of the European Union, it will give bilingual Irish speakers access to employment which they otherwise may be denied."
MPs from England, Scotland and Wales supported the motion and came from all shades of the political spectrum.
In 1972, the Irish Government failed in its duty to get official European status for the Irish language. Since then, successive Irish governments have failed to rectify this ignoble omission.
TDs of all political persuasions should now come together and unite on this national issue. The Irish Government through the European Council of Ministers, need only put forward a motion seeking EU status for Irish as an official and working language. Such a motion, I believe, would find unanimous agreement among all of its member states. - Is mise,
SEÁN Mac NÉILL, London Road, Wembley, Middlesex, England.