Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022

{{Infobox UK legislation

| short_title = Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022

| type = Act

| parliament = Parliament of the United Kingdom

| long_title = An Act to make provision about national and cultural identity and language in Northern Ireland.

| year = 2022

| introduced_commons = Shailesh Vara

| introduced_lords = Lord Caine, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

| territorial_extent = Northern Ireland

| royal_assent = 6 December 2022

| commencement = See [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/45/section/10/enacted section 10]

| amends =

| replaces = Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737

| related_legislation =

| status = Not_fully_in_force

| legislation_history = https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3168

| original_text = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/45/enacted

| revised_text =

| use_new_UK-LEG = yes

| statute_book_chapter = 2022 c. 45

}}

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45, {{Langx|ga|Acht Féiniúlachta agus Teanga (Tuaisceart Éireann) 2022}}, {{Langx|ga|Acht Féiniúlachta agus Teanga (Tuaisceart Éireann) 2022}}) is an act of Parliament in the United Kingdom providing "official recognition of the status of the Irish language" in Northern Ireland, with Ulster Scots being an officially recognised minority language.

The act was first envisioned as an Irish Language Act ({{langx|ga|Acht na Gaeilge}}) of the Northern Ireland Assembly that would give the Irish language equal status to English in the region, similar to that of the Welsh language in Wales under the Welsh Language Act 1993.

Main provisions

The bill includes the following provisions:{{Cite news |last=McClafferty |first=Enda |date=2022-10-26 |title=Irish language and Ulster Scots bill clears final hurdle in Parliament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63402597 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703141924/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63402597 |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-10-27 |work=BBC News |publisher= |language=en-GB}}

Official recognition and protection of the Irish language
Development of the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition
Two commissioners appointed, one for the Irish language and one for the Ulster Scots/Ulster British tradition
The creation of an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression
£4 million investment in an Irish language investment fund.

The provisions on the Irish language were based on the model of the Welsh Language Act 1993.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=Irish becomes official language in Northern Ireland for the first time |url=https://nation.cymru/news/irish-becomes-official-language-in-northern-ireland-for-the-first-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703130335/https://nation.cymru/news/irish-becomes-official-language-in-northern-ireland-for-the-first-time/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB |quote=The Irish language legislation was based on the model of the 1993 Welsh Language Act introduced in Wales.}}

Background

File:Irish speakers in the 2011 census in Northern Ireland.png

About 184,898 (10.65%) Northern Irish people have some knowledge of Irish, while about 4,130 (0.2%) speak it as their vernacular.{{cite news|title=The role of the Irish language in Northern Ireland's deadlock|url=https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21720659-though-less-1-use-it-their-main-language-cutbacks-have-rekindled-enthusiasm|accessdate=14 April 2017|newspaper=The Economist|date=12 April 2017|archive-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415142752/http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21720659-though-less-1-use-it-their-main-language-cutbacks-have-rekindled-enthusiasm|url-status=live}}

Before the act, the status of the Irish language as a minority language was guaranteed by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. This continues to bind the United Kingdom.{{cite news |last1=Sonnad |first1=Nikhil |title=Brexit may threaten the many minority languages of Britain |url=https://qz.com/713497/brexit-may-threaten-the-many-minority-languages-of-britain/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921092420/https://qz.com/713497/brexit-may-threaten-the-many-minority-languages-of-britain/ |archive-date=21 September 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |work=Quartz |language=en}} Since 2008, the Irish republican party Sinn Féin has been advocating that these protections be strengthened by legislation.{{cite news |title=Sinn Féin launches two new Irish language cumainn |url=https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/18261 |accessdate=23 September 2019 |work=An Phoblacht |date=13 March 2008 |archive-date=23 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923073212/https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/18261 |url-status=live }}

=Support and opposition=

The legislation was supported by An Dream Dearg,{{Cite web |last=Ainsworth |first=Paul |date=2022-12-06 |title='Historic milestone' passed as Irish language legislation becomes law |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/2022/12/06/news/_historic_milestone_passed_as_irish_language_legislation_becomes_law-2932333/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703130530/https://www.irishnews.com/news/2022/12/06/news/_historic_milestone_passed_as_irish_language_legislation_becomes_law-2932333/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} Conradh na Gaeilge,{{Cite web |last=Manley |first=John |date=2018-02-22 |title=Irish act in draft agreement did not go far enough, groups say |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2018/02/22/news/irish-language-groups-label-proposed-legislation-weak--1261292/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703130654/https://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2018/02/22/news/irish-language-groups-label-proposed-legislation-weak--1261292/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=The Irish News |language=en}} POBAL, Sinn Féin, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), the Alliance Party, the Green Party{{cite news |date=30 August 2017 |title=Adams: 'No assembly without language act' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-41095799 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611175114/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-41095799 |archive-date=11 June 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} and People Before Profit.{{Cite news |last=Ó Caollaí |first=Éanna |date=2020-01-09 |title=Explainer: Breaking the deadlock over an Irish Language Act |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/explainer-breaking-the-deadlock-over-an-irish-language-act-1.4135275 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702202339/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/explainer-breaking-the-deadlock-over-an-irish-language-act-1.4135275 |archive-date=2024-07-02 |access-date=2024-07-02 |work=The Irish Times |quote=The demand for legislation is not confined to one party. It is supported by Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit.}} It was opposed by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).{{cite news |last1=Meredith |first1=Robbie |date=15 March 2019 |title=Language laws 'strengthen not threaten' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47575607 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002104230/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47575607 |archive-date=2 October 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

Irish language activist and unionist Linda Ervine stated that she had come to support the legislation after comments by DUP MLA Gregory Campbell mocking the Irish language.{{cite news |title=Linda Ervine: 'Curry my yoghurt' pushed me towards Irish act |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/education/linda-ervine-curry-my-yoghurt-pushed-me-towards-irish-act-1-8038462 |accessdate=23 September 2019 |work=Belfast News Letter |date=4 July 2017 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923085857/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/education/linda-ervine-curry-my-yoghurt-pushed-me-towards-irish-act-1-8038462 |url-status=live }} She said that the act would have little effect on non-Irish speakers and that some politicians had engaged in "scaremongering". When a draft bill was leaked after talks stalled in 2018, Irish language groups criticised the legislation for not going far enough, specifically in not creating new rights for Irish speakers.{{cite news |last1=Manley |first1=John |date=22 February 2018 |title=Irish act in draft agreement did not go far enough, groups say |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2018/02/22/news/irish-language-groups-label-proposed-legislation-weak--1261292/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222134917/http://www.irishnews.com/news/politicalnews/2018/02/22/news/irish-language-groups-label-proposed-legislation-weak--1261292/ |archive-date=22 February 2018 |accessdate=22 September 2019 |work=The Irish News}} Meanwhile, DUP supporters condemned the compromise legislation.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Ben |date=30 April 2019 |title=Why is there no government in Northern Ireland? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/northern-ireland-talks-latest-power-sharing-deal-stormont-sinn-fein-dup-a8893096.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112193941/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/northern-ireland-talks-latest-power-sharing-deal-stormont-sinn-fein-dup-a8893096.html |archive-date=12 November 2019 |accessdate=23 September 2019 |work=The Independent |language=en}}

In 2017, pressure group An Dream Dearg organised a rally in favour of the act in Belfast, attracting several thousand supporters.{{cite news |last1=Ferguson |first1=Amanda |date=20 May 2017 |title=Thousands call for Irish Language Act during Belfast rally |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/thousands-call-for-irish-language-act-during-belfast-rally-1.3090740 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115205211/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/thousands-call-for-irish-language-act-during-belfast-rally-1.3090740 |archive-date=15 November 2017 |accessdate=22 September 2019 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}} In May 2019, more than 200 prominent Irish people signed an open letter urging then Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and then Prime Minister of the UK Theresa May to support the act.{{cite news |last1=Moriarty |first1=Gerry |last2=Caollaí |first2=Éanna Ó |title=Varadkar and May urged to implement Irish language act in North |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/varadkar-and-may-urged-to-implement-irish-language-act-in-north-1.3908153 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233650/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/varadkar-and-may-urged-to-implement-irish-language-act-in-north-1.3908153 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |accessdate=22 September 2019 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}

Then DUP leader Arlene Foster has stated that it would make more sense to pass a "Polish Language Act" than an Irish Language Act, because more Northern Ireland residents speak Polish than Irish. This claim was disputed by fact checkers.{{cite news |last1=MacGuill |first1=Dan |title=FactCheck: Are there really more Polish speakers than Irish speakers in Northern Ireland? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/arlene-foster-polish-speakers-irish-speakers-northern-ireland-facts-3228915-Feb2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920065628/https://www.thejournal.ie/arlene-foster-polish-speakers-irish-speakers-northern-ireland-facts-3228915-Feb2017/ |archive-date=20 September 2019 |accessdate=22 September 2019 |work=TheJournal.ie |language=en}} Foster also stated that "If you feed a crocodile they're going to keep coming back and looking for more" with regard to Sinn Féin's demands for the act and accused the party of "using the Irish language as a tool to beat Unionism over the head."{{cite news |date=9 March 2017 |title=Arlene Foster regrets Sinn Féin 'crocodiles' comment |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/arlene-foster-regrets-sinn-f%C3%A9in-crocodiles-comment-1.3004084 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031174800/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/arlene-foster-regrets-sinn-f%C3%A9in-crocodiles-comment-1.3004084 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |accessdate=23 September 2019 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}

History

Sinn Féin{{cite web |last1=McCorley |first1=Rosie |title=95% of people support Acht na Gaeilge |url=https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/36663 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921092412/https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/36663 |archive-date=21 September 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |publisher=Sinn Féin.ie}} and POBAL, the Northern Irish association of Irish speakers, pointed out that the British government promised to introduce such an act in the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Ceimin |date=14 February 2018 |title=Explainer: What is the Irish Language Act and why is it causing political deadlock in Northern Ireland? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-language-act-explainer-3851417-Feb2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920065609/https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-language-act-explainer-3851417-Feb2018/ |archive-date=20 September 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |work=TheJournal.ie |language=en}} Unionists said that they never supported such a commitment. As part of the January 2020 New Decade, New Approach compromise agreement, many of the proposals sought under an Irish Language Act would be implemented by amending existing laws rather than introducing a new standalone law.{{cite news |last1=Meredith |first1=Robbie |date=10 January 2020 |title=NI experts examine the detail of deal: Language |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51063140 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602205935/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51063140 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

= Proposed provisions (2014, 2017) =

In 2014, legislation sought by Sinn Féin would appoint an Irish language commissioner and designate Gaeltacht areas. It would also provide for the right to use Irish:

in the judicial system
in the Northern Ireland Assembly (Stormont)
with public sector services
in Irish-medium education
on bilingual signage.

In 2017, {{lang|ga|Conradh na Gaeilge}} (an all-island non-political social and cultural organisation which promotes the language in Ireland and worldwide) proposed{{cite web |date=23 May 2017 |title=Irish-Language Act |url=https://cnag.ie/en/get-involved/current-campaigns/irish-language-act.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028035403/https://www.cnag.ie/en/get-involved/current-campaigns/irish-language-act.html |archive-date=28 October 2018 |accessdate=4 January 2020 |publisher={{lang|ga|Conradh na Gaeilge}}}} an Act that would provide for

the official status of the language
Irish in the Assembly
Irish in local government
Irish and the BBC
Irish in the Department of Education;
the role of a Language Commissioner
placenames.

Other proposals have included replicating the Welsh Language Act 1993 and Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-21 |title=Thousands to march in Belfast calling for Irish language legislation on model of Welsh Language Act |url=https://nation.cymru/news/thousands-to-march-in-belfast-calling-for-irish-language-legislation-on-model-of-welsh-language-act/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703132623/https://nation.cymru/news/thousands-to-march-in-belfast-calling-for-irish-language-legislation-on-model-of-welsh-language-act/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-25 |title='It can't be sidelined': bill aims to give Irish official status in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/25/bill-irish-official-status-northern-ireland-language-government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703132804/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/25/bill-irish-official-status-northern-ireland-language-government |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McCartney |first=Blaine |date=2021-06-19 |title=The Irish language Act: What to expect? |url=https://sluggerotoole.com/2021/06/19/the-irish-language-act-what-to-expect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703133816/https://sluggerotoole.com/2021/06/19/the-irish-language-act-what-to-expect/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=Slugger O'Toole |language=en-GB}}

= Role in political deadlock (2017 to 2020) =

In January 2017, then Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal,{{cite news |author=Henry McDonald |date=10 January 2017 |title=Martin McGuinness resigns as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/09/martin-mcguinness-to-resign-as-northern-ireland-deputy-first-minister |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921105729/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/09/martin-mcguinness-to-resign-as-northern-ireland-deputy-first-minister |archive-date=21 September 2019 |accessdate=23 October 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London, England}} and the party declined to replace him.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Henry |last2=Walker |first2=Peter |date=16 January 2017 |title=Sinn Féin refusal to replace McGuinness set to trigger Northern Ireland elections |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/16/sinn-fein-refusal-mcguinness-power-sharing-collapse-northern-ireland |url-status=live |accessdate=21 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921105723/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/16/sinn-fein-refusal-mcguinness-power-sharing-collapse-northern-ireland |archive-date=21 September 2019}} Due to Northern Ireland's power-sharing system, a government cannot be formed without both parties,{{cite web |title=Power-sharing |url=http://education.niassembly.gov.uk/post_16/snapshots_of_devolution/gfa/power_sharing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527032309/http://education.niassembly.gov.uk/post_16/snapshots_of_devolution/gfa/power_sharing |archive-date=27 May 2017 |accessdate=21 September 2019 |website=Northern Ireland Assembly |publisher=Northern Ireland Assembly Education Service}} and the Stormont Assembly was suspended.{{cite news |last1=Bradfield |first1=Philip |date=22 September 2018 |title=Linda Ervine: Stormont should not have stopped for Irish Act |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/latest-news/linda-ervine-stormont-should-not-have-stopped-for-irish-act-1-8643704 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526183938/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/latest-news/linda-ervine-stormont-should-not-have-stopped-for-irish-act-1-8643704 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |accessdate=4 October 2019 |work=Belfast News Letter |location=Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

Gerry Adams, then Sinn Féin leader, stated in August 2017 that "There won't be an assembly without an {{lang|ga|Acht na Gaeilge}}." According to The Independent in 2019, the Irish Language Act became the most public issue of disagreement in discussions about restoring Stormont, and it was "almost certainly" required for a deal to be made to end the deadlock.

= Compromise (2020 to 2022) =

File:Ulster-Scots speakers in the 2011 census in Northern Ireland.png

On 11 January 2020, Sinn Féin and the DUP re-entered devolved government under the New Decade, New Approach agreement with then DUP leader Arlene Foster appointed Northern Ireland's first minister, and Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill appointed deputy first minister.{{cite news |date=11 January 2020 |title=Stormont deal: Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill new top NI ministers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51077397 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113064911/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51077397 |archive-date=13 January 2020 |accessdate=11 January 2020 |website=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation}} In the agreement, there would be no standalone Irish Language Act, but the Northern Ireland Act 1998 would be amended and policies implemented to:

grant official status to both the Irish language and Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland;{{cite news |date=10 January 2020 |title=What's in the draft Stormont deal? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51059789 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722065921/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-51059789 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}
establish the post of Irish Language Commissioner to "recognise, support, protect and enhance the development of the Irish language in Northern Ireland" as part of a new Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (alongside an Ulster Scots/Ulster British Commissioner);
introduce sliding-scale "language standards", a similar approach to that taken for the Welsh language in Wales, although they are subject to veto by the First Minister or deputy First Minister;{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Dr John |date=15 January 2020 |title=What's the real deal with Stormont's Irish language proposals? |url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0115/1107583-whats-the-real-deal-with-stormonts-irish-language-proposals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629080420/https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0115/1107583-whats-the-real-deal-with-stormonts-irish-language-proposals/ |archive-date=29 June 2020 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |language=en |agency=RTÉ}}
repeal a 1737 ban on the use of Irish in Northern Ireland's courts;
allow members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to speak in Irish or Ulster Scots, with simultaneous translation for non-speakers,{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Brendan |date=11 January 2020 |title=How the Stormont deal tackles language and identity issues |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/01/11/news/how-the-stormont-deal-tackles-language-and-identity-issues-1811293/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531072020/https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2020/01/11/news/how-the-stormont-deal-tackles-language-and-identity-issues-1811293/ |archive-date=31 May 2021 |accessdate=26 June 2020 |work=The Irish News |language=en}} and
establish a central translation unit within the Northern Ireland government.

By 11 January 2021 there was a commitment to the forming an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression but real progress was limited. The Executive Office estimated an allocation of £28m in funds, with potential for increase would be dedicated to the improvement of the status of the Irish language, but there was debate over how the funds would be divided and dispersed.{{Cite news |date=11 January 2021 |title=Stormont deal: One year on, what's changed? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55467214 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507144737/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-55467214 |archive-date=7 May 2022 |access-date=26 May 2022 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

Debate on the exact language of the act stalled in the assembly throughout 2021, with the 'titles of commissioners' reportedly being a concern.{{Cite news |date=2 April 2021 |title=Irish language proposals 'not comprehensive enough' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56608771 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713010259/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56608771 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=26 May 2022 |work=BBC News |publisher=}} In 2022, with an early election called for that May, it was announced no such legislation would be enacted before the end of the legislative period.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-28 |title=No Irish language legislation before assembly election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-60908379 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525125417/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-60908379 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-08 |work=BBC News |publisher= |language=en-GB}}

= In the Parliament of the United Kingdom (2022) =

Ultimately, the legislation was enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 25 May 2022 and scrutiny there was concluded on 13 July.{{Cite news |last=Kearney |first=Vincent |date=2022-05-25 |title=First step to protect Irish language taken by UK govt |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2022/0525/1301002-irish-language-northern-ireland/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703145808/https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2022/0525/1301002-irish-language-northern-ireland/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |work=RTÉ |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=14 July 2022 |title=Lords concludes scrutiny of Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill |url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2022/may-2022/identity-and-language-northern-ireland-bill-in-the-lords/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703150128/https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2022/may-2022/identity-and-language-northern-ireland-bill-in-the-lords/ |archive-date=2024-07-03 |website=UK Parliament}} The bill received its first reading in the House of Commons the following day and its second reading on 12 October.{{Cite web |title=Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 Stages - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament |url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3168/stages |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703150506/https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3168/stages |archive-date=2024-07-03 |website=UK Parliament}}{{Cite news |title=Irish language and Ulster Scots legislation passes next step in House of Commons – despite unionist opposition |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/irish-language-and-ulster-scots-legislation-passes-next-step-in-house-of-commons-despite-unionist-opposition-42061947.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703150750/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/irish-language-and-ulster-scots-legislation-passes-next-step-in-house-of-commons-despite-unionist-opposition/42061947.html |archive-date=2024-07-03 |access-date=2022-10-27 |work=Belfast Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} The bill passed in the House of Commons with its third reading on 26 October. On 6 December, the act received royal assent, meaning that Irish would become an official language in Northern Ireland once the relevant provisions are brought into force.{{Cite news |date=11 December 2022 |title=Language and identity laws could spell significant change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63923308 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703151718/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-63923308 |archive-date=2024-07-03 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}