Debate contribution: North/South Ministerial Council: Language Body

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 10 June 2025.

MLA

Mr Gordon Lyons

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

10 June 2025

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Ministerial Statement

Heading

North/South Ministerial Council: Language Body

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5001018

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Mr Speaker, with your permission and in compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Language Body meeting that was held at the NSMC joint secretariat offices on 10 April. The Executive were represented by me and by junior Minister Reilly, as accompanying Minister. The Irish Government were represented by Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The statement has been agreed with Minister Reilly, and I make it on behalf of both of us. The meeting dealt with issues relating to the North/South Language Body and its two constituent agencies: the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. A number of topics were discussed, with decisions being taken where appropriate. As part of the opening remarks, Ministers acknowledged the work of the language body and the positive impact that the agencies have had in the language and culture sectors on both sides of the border. Following the opening remarks, the chair introduced a number of items, which form the basis of this statement. The first item discussed was the language body progress report. The Council noted the progress reports, which were received from the chairs and CEOs of the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge, along with the key achievements of the language body since the last sectoral meeting. The second item to be addressed was corporate governance matters. The Council addressed a number of governance issues, including the approval of the language body business plans and budgets for 2025, which were completed in accordance with guidance issued by both Finance Departments and agreed by the sponsor Departments and Finance Ministers. Ministers noted that discussions have begun between the body and sponsor Departments about the 2026-28 corporate planning period, which will include a collaborative review of a range of governance and procedural matters in the agencies. The Council also noted the language body's consolidated annual report and accounts for 2022 will shortly be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the audit of the 2023 accounts is near completion. The next item to be addressed was board appointments. The Council appointed board members to a number of North/South implementation bodies, including the North/South Language Body. The incumbent chair of Foras na Gaeilge was reappointed for a second term, whilst a new chair was appointed to the Ulster-Scots Agency board. The final issue to be addressed was the date of the next meeting, with the Council agreeing to hold it in autumn 2025. I commend the statement to the House.

The total approved budget for the North/South Language Body in 2025 was just over £17 million. The Department for Communities provides £5·67 million of that funding, and the Irish Government provide the remaining £11·34 million.

First, there was an increase from the Irish Government due to outstanding pension issues that go back some years. There will be a review of funding in the coming months because there is considerable work that needs to be done on that and other governance issues. However, we are all operating in constrained budgetary environments at this time. We all need to ensure that we make the best use of public resources. As the Member will be well aware, I have pressures in other parts of my Department, such as housing, arts, sports, culture and many other issues. Therefore, we have maintained the funding at last year's level. We will consider what additional funding, if any, can be provided in the future.

That is absolutely right. I acknowledge the concerns about the Ulster-Scots Agency, which, of course, is focused not just primarily on language but on wider issues around culture, history and heritage. There has been a change: I have moved £103,000 from departmental funding into the North/South language bodies. As a result, an additional £34,500 has been generated. That means that, this year, there has been a total increase of £137,500 in the Ulster-Scots Agency's allocation. I hope that it will use that wisely so that we can continue to promote Ulster-Scots language, culture, history and heritage.

There was an outstanding pension issue that was dealt with through the discussions that we had. Ultimately, there needs to be agreement. We need to have agreement North and South on the arrangements that are in place. Those arrangements were put in place and the funding criteria were agreed back at that time, and there needs to be consensus before they are changed.

As I said in my response to the previous question, the quotas and arrangements were agreed back in 1998, and they have served us well. There are opportunities for additional funds to be made available for bodies if they are doing specific work in their own jurisdiction, and that has happened in the past. However, you cannot simply change the funding arrangements for one body on the basis of the in-year circumstances that you find in one financial year. A much wider piece of work on that will be taken forward.

Both agencies have been involved in a number of projects that promote language and culture. The Ulster-Scots Agency has supported the Belfast International Tattoo. There was £80,000 for community festivals, flagship school programmes and the first Belfast Tartan Day. Foras na Gaeilge has run language planning conferences, awareness campaigns and scholarships. Those are examples of some of the work that takes place.

It is important to note that there has not been a reduction in that funding this year. Those are challenges that are faced and shared by many people right across the public sector. My door is open, and I am always happy to meet any groups that want to discuss issues of concern.

961 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:41 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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