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Language plans set to be revealed Irish proposals will be unveiled
(10 minutes later)
The government is expected to publish draft legislation later dealing with the Irish language. The government is expected to publish draft legislation dealing with the Irish language.
During the talks at St Andrews in October, the government promised to bring forward proposals for a new Irish language law. During St Andrews talks, the government promised to bring the proposals forward. Sinn Fein has lobbied for the measure to be completed soon.
Sinn Fein has been lobbying for the measure to be completed as soon as possible.
However, the DUP has threatened to block the law should it come before a restored assembly.However, the DUP has threatened to block the law should it come before a restored assembly.
The government is expected to publish draft legislation setting out how it intends to deal with Irish language rights, while pointing out that if there is a deal by 26 March it will be up to the assembly to decide how it wishes to deal with the matter. The newly elected Northern Ireland Assembly is due to meet for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.
The newly elected Northern Ireland Assembly is meeting for the first time on Tuesday at Stormont.
The 108 members will be asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other.The 108 members will be asked to sign the register and select a voting designation, either unionist, nationalist or other.
The DUP has 36 members, Sinn Fein 28, the UUP 18 and the SDLP 16. The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members.
The government is expected to publish draft legislation setting out how it intends to deal with Irish language rights, while pointing out that if there is a deal by 26 March it will be up to the assembly to decide how it wishes to deal with the matter.
The new assembly is comprised of 36 DUP members, 28 Sinn Fein members, the UUP has 18 and the SDLP has 16.
If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.If a power-sharing executive is formed it will have four DUP ministers, three Sinn Fein, two UUP and one SDLP.
There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.There are new faces on the benches, including Alliance's Anna Lo, the first member to come from an ethnic minority background.
If the parties take responsibility for these matters then they can determine the policy Peter HainIf the parties take responsibility for these matters then they can determine the policy Peter Hain
The outgoing Speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.The outgoing Speaker, Eileen Bell, is expected to remain in place until a replacement is elected.
The parties have until 26 March to agree a power-sharing Executive or the British and Irish governments say they will shut the assembly and stop the pay of its members. On Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain re-stated the position that the deadline would not be changed.
On Monday, Secretary of State Peter Hain restated the position that the deadline would not be changed.
He said if there was no deal he would implement the new water charges.He said if there was no deal he would implement the new water charges.
However, if a power sharing executive wanted to follow a different policy, the government could help them financially. However, if a power-sharing executive wanted to follow a different policy, the government could help them financially.
"If the parties take responsibility for these matters then they can determine the policy and I think we might be able to help them determine the policy depending on whether they are serious about restoration or not," he said.
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said his government was willing to contribute to a financial package if it was to the mutual benefit of people on both sides of the border.Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said his government was willing to contribute to a financial package if it was to the mutual benefit of people on both sides of the border.
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since October 2002, amid allegations of an IRA spy ring at Stormont. A subsequent court case collapsed. Direct rule has been in place since that date.