In a unique contribution to understanding the interaction of language policy and planning in modern conflict resolution, Janet Muller provides an insider account of the search for improved status for the Irish language in Northern Ireland from the 1980s.

Contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction A Silent War. Conflict Resolution and Language Policy and Planning in Northern Ireland and Quebec / Canada The Irish Language in the North of Ireland: Census Statistics Education The Irish Language and the Good Friday Agreement The Ratification and Application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in Respect of Irish Irish Language Broadcasting since the Good Friday Agreement: Sop in áit na scuaibe? Sword or Ploughshare? The British Government Commitment to Enact the Irish Language Act. Submissions from voluntary and state sector Irish language organisations to the First Public Consultation on Proposed Irish Language Legislation for NI Submissions of the Political Parties to the First Public Consultation on Proposed Irish Language Legislation for NI Submissions from Key Public Bodies and a 20 per cent Sample of Individual Responses to the Public Consultation on the Proposed Irish Language Legislation Quebec v. The Rest in the Twenty-First Century. Coming-of-Age or Losing the Plot? Conclusions Endnotes References Index