The Northern Ireland Culture Minister, Edwin Poots, has decided against introducing an Irish Language Act.
Although 65% of people who responded to the public consultation supported the Act, Mr Poots said he 'remained unpersuaded' that there was a compelling case for bringing forward Irish language legislation at this time.
Mr Poots said such an Act would be both divisive and expensive.
He said there was insufficient cross-community consensus and potentially significant costs involved.
