Pobal proposals

The Belfast-based group, Pobal, held an advice session today on the development of a plan to promote the Irish language in Northern Ireland.

Their draft report contains proposals on education, communication, legislation and the arts.

The group believe that the Department of Education in the North should have a dedicated unit to deal with Gaelscolaíocht and Irish in English-language schools. They also argue that there is "an urgent and crucial need for a policy to ensure continuity in the teaching of Irish between primary and post-primary levels".

They want the Irish-language Broadcasting Fund strengthened and made permanent, more television and radio programmes on the BBC and an online mag for youth.

The group argue that "bilingual road signs must be introduced on main routes in the north within an agreed timescale, as well as bilingual signage at entry and exit points into cities, towns and villages".

They intend to present their updated proposals to the North's culture minister, Carál Ní Chuilín.