A chara, - D. Simpson (November 8th) is wrong if he thinks that the Belfast Agreement gives parity of esteem to the Ulster Scots and Irish languages. Under "Economic, Social and Cultural Issues", the agreement states that "all participants recognise the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including, in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland."
In the Belfast Agreement the Irish Government makes absolutely no commitment in respect of Ulster Scots or Ullans apart from the recognition quoted above. In the subsequent agreement between the governments of the UK and Ireland establishing implementation bodies including An Foras Teanga/Tha Boord o Leid, signed on March 8th, 1999, the Irish Government agreed to the functions of the language body in respect of Ulster Scots being the "promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island."
There is therefore no basis whatever for the exaggerated demands of Lord Laird, Chairperson of the Boord o Leid, or for the parity of esteem claimed by D. Simpson. Greater awareness and use of Ullans are certainly to be welcomed, but it is entirely up to the Government to decide on the extent of its official recognition, and to what extent this should extend beyond the province of Ulster. It is not obliged by either agreement to provide parity of esteem or parity of funding for both languages throughout the island. - Is mise,
Ian Livingstone, Hoeilaart, Belgium.