THE British government is today expected to signal its intention to pass long-awaited Irish language legislation as it unveils its priorities for the forthcoming parliamentary term.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said she had received assurances yesterday from the secretary of state that Acht na Gaeilge would be mentioned in today's Queen's Speech.
The outline of the legislation was agreed in the New Decade, New Approach deal that saw the devolved institutions restored in 2020.
The plans include an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression to promote respect for diversity as well as commissioners for Irish and Ulster Scots.
However, Brandon Lewis announced in March that the legislation would not be introduced ahead of the Assembly election.
In response to a question from The Irish News at Stormont yesterday, the Sinn Féin leader said: "The commitment now is that there will be reference to Acht na Gaeilge in the Queen's Speech and that legislation will be brought forward very soon.
"We don't have a precise date but we again have a very precise commitment...
"The British government have an obligation to act, we have reiterated that and we have a commitment that that legislation will be brought forward soon.
"It will not be a day too soon, the delay on this has been a matter that has fuelled great anger."
Irish language campaigners however have voiced scepticism.
Conchúr Ó Muadaigh said Conradh na Gaeilge would remain "cautious" unless a concrete date accompanied any announcement.
It came as the DUP continued to resist pressure from the British and Irish governments, as well as Stormont's other main parties, to nominate ministers after last Friday's dramatic election result.
Flanked by his new team at Stormont yesterday, party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he would not return to the executive until the DUP's concerns about the Northern Ireland Protocol are resolved.
He was among the party leaders who met with Mr Lewis yesterday.
Sinn Féin Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill said responsibility for finding solutions to the protocol lay with Boris Johnson and the EU.
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said that if the protocol was the obstacle to a functioning executive at Stormont, then it needed to be dealt with.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said she wanted to get negotiations on a programme for government and budget under way as soon as possible while SDLP leader Colum Eastwood urged the DUP to nominate ministers for a new executive.
Speaking after meeting with the five leaders individually, Mr Lewis said: "Northern Ireland’s party leaders must come together to agree a way forward to deliver a stable and accountable devolved government."
