The SDLP is to table a private members' bill that hopes to give the Irish language special status in the north.
The move comes after a delays in providing protections for the language and rights for speakers which exist for Scots Gaelic and Welsh.
Despite inclusion in the St Andrews agreement nearly a decade ago, it is thought DUP opposition has so far thwarted efforts to give Irish legal standing in the north.
Sinn Féin insisted it was on the agenda during the negotiations that led to the Fresh Start agreement, however, there was no mention of an Irish Language Act in the final accord.
In February last year, the then culture minister Carál Ní Chuilín published draft proposals for an Irish language bill and launched a 12-week consultation on the proposed legislation. However, it appears she failed to get executive support for the plan.
The private members' bill sponsor Patsy McGlone said it was time for the assembly to officially recognise Irish.
He said much of the work on the development of an Irish Language Act had already been carried out by Irish language groups like Pobal.
"But despite having a Sinn Féin culture minister for five years, we still have no enhanced legislation protecting the rights of Irish speakers," he said.
"The SDLP was the first party to draft proposals for an Irish Language Act and now I’ve signalled my intention to table this bill – we will stand up for a community which has been failed by others."
Ms Ní Chuilín's draft legislation included proposals for Irish to be used in the courts, the translation of Stormont business and designated Gaeltacht areas across the north.
