SDLP Hits Out At Foster Over Irish Language Comments

The SDLP has hit out at comments former First Minister Arlene Foster made about the Irish language.

Mrs Foster said the DUP would never agree to an Irish language act and more people spoke Polish than Irish in the North at an event on Monday, 06 February.

Referring to Sinn Fein demands, Mrs Foster said: "If you feed a crocodile, it will keep coming back for more."

In response to her comments, Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams joked: "See you later, alligator."

SDLP Mid Ulster candidate Patsy McGlone said for a party leader to speak so offensively about an entire community reveals the "corruption at the core of the last Executive that led to its collapse".

He said: "The Irish Language belongs to no party. It belongs to no community. It is a communal element of our rich cultural inheritance and that cannot be diminished by anyone. The comments, rooted in the politics of division and hate stand in stark contrast to the opportunity to embrace cooperation and compromise for the common good that this election offers.

"Whatever happens, at the far side of the election, the need for statutory protection for Irish Language speakers is all the more important. Arlene Foster has proven that there are parties that refuse to respect the rights and ambitions of those who speak Irish. In those circumstances, those rights and protections must be written into law. Before the collapse of the institutions, I was preparing an Irish Language Act. That work will continue."

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy said her comments are "another desperate attempt to deflect public attention from their incompetence and mishandling of the RHI scandal".

He said: "These disgraceful comments from Arlene Foster about the Irish language are yet another example of the absolutely disgraceful arrogance of the DUP. 

"Time and time again the DUP have shown nothing but disrespect to the Irish language and identity. 

"These comments further highlight the contempt in which the DUP holds large sections of the community. 

"It is also another desperate attempt by the DUP leader to deflect public attention from the DUP's incompetence and mishandling of the RHI scandal."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Carál Ní Chuilín has called on UUP leader Mike Nesbitt to clarify his position on the Irish language act.

She said: "Last year, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt criticised Sinn Féin for calling for an Irish Language Act in line with the commitments made in the St Andrew's Agreement.

"The demand for an Irish language act is entirely justified and the DUP's disgraceful attitude toward the Irish language and identity is unacceptable.

"We now need clarity from Mike Nesbitt and the UUP on their position on an Irish language act.

"Do they accept it as part of the St Andrew's Agreement or are they going to follow behind the DUP in attempting to deny people's rights?"

(CD)