Irish language should not be 'bargaining chip' for united Ireland

A recently published report stresses that the Irish language should not be treated as a negotiating tool to secure unionist support for a united Ireland. Instead, it calls for Irish speakers to take an active and forward-looking role in shaping discussions about Irish unity. This report was commissioned by Conradh na Gaeilge (CnaG), a prominent organization dedicated to promoting the Irish language, and marks a notable shift in the group’s approach towards advocating for a united Ireland.

Titled *A United Ireland: A Transformative Opportunity for the Irish language and Gaeltacht*, the report was authored by Róisín Nic Liam. It highlights the ongoing public debate around Irish unity and the possibility of a border poll. The document critiques the tendency to view the Irish language as something to be “de-emphasised” or compromised in negotiations, pointing out that it has often been portrayed as an imposition on the unionist community. Specific references are made to former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s stance that included calls for concessions to accommodate unionist concerns, notably suggesting a reduced prominence for the Irish language.

According to the report, framing the language as an issue to be curtailed risks marginalizing Irish speakers in a future political landscape. Proposals such as making Irish optional rather than compulsory in schools, limiting its visibility in public spaces, and giving it equal constitutional status alongside English and Ulster-Scots are viewed as undermining the language’s status. The report asserts that one minority’s rights should not be restricted to appease another’s sensitivities, and it advocates for Irish speakers to become active participants in the movement for Irish unity in order to secure a stronger future for the language.

Nic Liam emphasized to BBC News NI that a united Ireland would present an unparalleled opportunity to revitalize both the Irish language and the Gaeltacht regions. She noted the common portrayal of Irish as a divisive symbol of nationalism and stressed instead that it is a living language present across Ireland. She encouraged a broader, island-wide perspective that fosters better relationships involving the language in all 32 counties. While recognizing that language issues inherently involve politics—historically shaped by acts like the Statute of Kilkenny—the report sees Irish language rights as central to the future political framework. Conradh na Gaeilge hopes this approach will position the Irish language at the heart of any new political agreement

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