155 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to seek an enhancement of the status of the Irish language in the context of the enlargement of the European Union; and the provisions which need to be put in place for the integration of the languages of the enlargement states. [3149/02]

As has been the case with previous accessions of new member states, the enlargement of the Union is not expected to have any effect on the status of the Irish language, which will remain an official, but not a working, language. I have no plans to raise the issue in this context. The question of what language regime will apply in an enlarged EU has yet to be discussed in the negotiations with the candidates, but it is likely that a number of new working languages will be agreed, with substantial consequent implications for the translation and interpretation services of the various EU institutions.