Irish 'should be made official'

A rally in Belfast city centre has called for official status to be given to the Irish language.

About 400 to 500 people gathered for the demonstration, organised by the group Pobal.

Its chief executive Janet Muller said they wanted "a wide range of public services through the medium of Irish."

"For example, in the courts, within public institutions, education, broadcasting, and social and economic life as well," she said.

Irish language groups said a commitment was given in the St Andrews' Agreement to introduce legislation.

Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, of Irish language organisation Gael Linn, said: "An Irish Language Act based on the rights of the people who speak it is needed in the north, exactly as it was promised two years ago at St Andrews.

"This kind of legislation already exists in Scotland, Wales and the south of Ireland, and the Irish speaking community here should have the same rights."