Conradh na Gaeilge welcomes Stormont deal but say it falls short of 2006 commitments

Conradh na Gaeilge has said the deal put forward by the UK and Irish Governments represents an "historic advancement" on what came before. But the advocacy organisation, which had pressed for a separate stand-alone Irish Language Act, said provisions for bilingual signage and wider visibility fall far short of what was envisaged in the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.
Under the proposals, a special commissioner will work within parameters set by Stormont's First and Deputy First Ministers, and concerns remain among some speakers about a DUP veto.
Conradh na Gaeilge president Dr Niall Comer said: "This legislation is undoubtedly an historic advancement for our community and for those who wish to use the language by providing historic official status, legal protection and an Irish language commissioner for the first time in the history of the state.
"This has only come about as the result of a tireless, inspirational and bottom-up campaign which has transformed how people here now view the language and ultimately how the state will interact with our community and shared language moving forward."