The Irish language organisation Conradh na Gaeilge has called on the Labour Party to clarify its position on the Irish language.
It claimed yesterday it was "exceptionally confused" where the Labour Party was coming from in the course of a debate on the (Official) Languages' Bill.
The president of Conradh na Gaeilge, Mr Seagh Mac Siurdain, said he was seeking a meeting with the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, to discuss the issue.
Conradh's criticism of Labour follows what it claims was the party's less than wholehearted support for the Official Languages Bill, sponsored by Mr Ó Cuív, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The final stages of the Bill to ensure better availability and a higher standard of services through Irish was passed in the Dáil this week with more than 40 amendments
Conradh na Gaeilge wants clarification on worries expressed by the party's spokesman on Gaeltacht affairs, Mr Brian O'Shea, that the Bill might have an adverse affect on other races living in Ireland.
Mr O'Shea said that the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill, which was similar to the Irish Bill, was denounced by the Commission for Racial Equality in Britain as "racist".
"The commission is concerned that giving too much prominence to Scotland's indigenous language could offend other ethnic minorities and damage race relations . . . I understand that the Chinese community in Ireland is presently some 50,000, in or about the population of Waterford City, which I represent," Mr O'Shea said in a speech last month.
He asked for the "real figures" of Irish speakers in Ireland.
Yesterday, Mr O'Shea said he had not opposed the Bill and supported it with reservations.
"Everything I said is absolutely clear. We need to cultivate a position where the public in general take an ownership position of the Irish language.
"There is a need to have a full, frank and open debate with regard to the importance of the Irish language."
He said elitism had not helped the language in the past. Ireland was now a multi-cultural society and this had to be taken into account.
He added there was nothing for Irish language enthusiasts to fear from frank and open debate.
When enacted, the new Languages Act would be the first time the Irish language had legal force, Mr Mac Siurdain said.