Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) what steps have been taken in relation to the repeal of the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737, which bans Irish in courts; and (ii) what preparatory work has been undertaken by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service in anticipation of the repeal, in line with the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.
Minister of Justice: (i)The commencement of provisions within the Identity and Language Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 is a matter for the Northern Ireland Office. The Department of Justice is unable to comment on any plans by the NIO to commence the relevant provisions.
(ii)The Department has contracts in place for the provision of face to face and telephone interpreting services, and for the translation of written materials.
ENDS
Your MLA 