Jim Wells: Discrimination claim on language

"There are telephone numbers in today's press which will actually give you a number to ring and we will get a form to you as soon as possible.

"If people haven't received their census form yet, no fine will be incurred. When you receive it, post it back to us," he said.

Language row

However, controversy has erupted over two aspects of the census form.

One question queries the ability of the householder to speak, write, or understand the Irish language.

The other asks the religion of the people living in the house.

"The information that the census provides will contribute to how we plan the future for everyone in society here," said Mr Cavan.

"So it is important that everyone is counted in. That is why the census questions are compulsory.

"However, in recognition that the question on religion may be sensitive for some people, there is no compunction on people to answer that question."

Discrimination

Democratic Unionist Party assemblyman Jim Wells said it was "extremely unfortunate" that there was no question for those who speak the Ulster Scots language.

"I don't accept the excuse given as there was plenty of time to have put this question in," he said.

"Under the Good Friday Agreement we were told that there would be equal recognition of the two languages.

"Here at the first opportunity, of course, Irish is there but Ulster Scots is missing."

The South Down representative said that people from the Ulster-Scots tradition could still represent themselves on the census form.

Mr Wells said that a facility in question 10 left open the possibility for people to identify themselves as part of an "other" ethnic minority grouping.

"I would suggest to those people who are from the Ulster-Scots tradition should put in as their ethnicity Ulster-Scots," he said.

Mitchel McLaughlin: Supporting the census

Republican support

For the first time, Sinn Fein is supporting the census.

But the party has criticised certain references as "sectarian" and say that a 10-year-gap is too long between each census.

Party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said: "It is important that everyone takes parts in the 2001 census.

"The results will then be used to work out funding priorities within the executive."

He added: "It is important to recognise that a 10 yearly census is inadequate.

"A more regular update would not only allow us to monitor our progress in tackling discrimination, disadvantage and poverty.

"It would also give a clear picture of the progress in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement."

However, the Foyle assembly member said certain references in the form were sectarian.

"The continued reference throughout the booklet to the term "Roman Catholic" is not only a poor descriptive term that can dissuade people from identifying themselves, it is also overtly sectarian," he said.

People are asked to post their census forms back in the pre-paid envelope as soon as possible after Sunday 29 April.