Menu
11/08/2017
UUP Leader Meets With Irish Language Group
Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann has called on Sinn Fein to stop using the Irish Language Act as a "red line" in restoring the NI Executive.
Mr Swann made the statement after he met with representatives from the Irish language sector at Stormont on Thursday, 10 August.
He said: "We welcomed the opportunity to engage with representatives of the Irish language community – Conradh na Gaeilge and Forbairt Feirste. The talks were conducted in a frank and respectful manner.
"We reiterated that we have no problem with the Irish Language but remain unconvinced of the need for an Irish Language Act.
"We raised our concerns that the current debate surrounding an Irish Language Act is serving to divide society further.
"We also voiced our frustration that the issue of an Irish Language Act has become a red line in the current talks impasse and is effectively being used to hold Northern Ireland to ransom. This cannot be allowed to continue."
(CD)
Mr Swann made the statement after he met with representatives from the Irish language sector at Stormont on Thursday, 10 August.
He said: "We welcomed the opportunity to engage with representatives of the Irish language community – Conradh na Gaeilge and Forbairt Feirste. The talks were conducted in a frank and respectful manner.
"We reiterated that we have no problem with the Irish Language but remain unconvinced of the need for an Irish Language Act.
"We raised our concerns that the current debate surrounding an Irish Language Act is serving to divide society further.
"We also voiced our frustration that the issue of an Irish Language Act has become a red line in the current talks impasse and is effectively being used to hold Northern Ireland to ransom. This cannot be allowed to continue."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 April 2017
DUP Accused Of 'Genuflecting To Irish Language Brigade'
Jim Allister has accused the DUP of "genuflecting to the Irish language brigade". The TUV leader made the comments in response to DUP leader Arlene Foster meeting with Irish language groups, which he said should "serve as a warning to all those who oppose the De-Britishisation of Northern Ireland".
DUP Accused Of 'Genuflecting To Irish Language Brigade'
Jim Allister has accused the DUP of "genuflecting to the Irish language brigade". The TUV leader made the comments in response to DUP leader Arlene Foster meeting with Irish language groups, which he said should "serve as a warning to all those who oppose the De-Britishisation of Northern Ireland".
09 March 2017
Call For Irish Language Act To Be Brought Forward Immediately
Sinn Féin is calling for legislation for an Irish Language Act to be brought forward immediately. The party made the call after a new Council of Europe (CoE) report urged the government to encourage the Executive to introduce language legislation.
Call For Irish Language Act To Be Brought Forward Immediately
Sinn Féin is calling for legislation for an Irish Language Act to be brought forward immediately. The party made the call after a new Council of Europe (CoE) report urged the government to encourage the Executive to introduce language legislation.
23 August 2024
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
BCC Consultation On Draft Irish Language Policy
Belfast City Council has announced a new public consultation on their new draft Irish language policy. The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website belfastcity.gov.
13 February 2018
There Will Be No Stand-Alone Irish Language Act - Foster
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has insisted that her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act, a key Sinn Féin demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws which may emerge from Stormont's power-sharing negotiations.
There Will Be No Stand-Alone Irish Language Act - Foster
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has insisted that her party would not sign off on a stand-alone Irish Language Act, a key Sinn Féin demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws which may emerge from Stormont's power-sharing negotiations.
27 April 2017
Foster 'Uplifted' After Meeting Irish Language Students
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had been "uplifted" after meeting Irish language students at a school in Newry. Mrs Foster met with pupils from Our Lady's Grammar School on Wednesday, 26 April. In February she said more people spoke Polish than Irish in Northern Ireland and declared the party would never agree to an act protecting the language.
Foster 'Uplifted' After Meeting Irish Language Students
DUP leader Arlene Foster said she had been "uplifted" after meeting Irish language students at a school in Newry. Mrs Foster met with pupils from Our Lady's Grammar School on Wednesday, 26 April. In February she said more people spoke Polish than Irish in Northern Ireland and declared the party would never agree to an act protecting the language.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
