Minister rules out Irish language legislation in North

The North's Culture Minister has ruled out the introduction of legislation to give legal status to the Irish language.

Edwin Poots of the DUP told the Assembly today that a proposed Irish Language Bill would be too costly.

He also said there was insufficient political consensus to press ahead with the legislation and he wanted to see the Irish language developed in a non-politicised manner.

Sinn Féin has accused him of failing to take an opportunity to show that he is willing to be a minister for all of the people in the North.