O'Dowd Affirms Commitment To Continued Roll-Out Of Irish Language

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has affirmed his commitment to the continued roll-out of Irish language on public transport in west Belfast and to the development of a bilingual road traffic sign pilot scheme.

The Minister's comments follow a meeting with representatives from Forbairt Feirste to discuss Irish language in the Gaeltacht Quarter.

Minister O'Dowd said: "I was pleased to meet with Forbairt Feirste to discuss my Department's commitment to the Irish language and to review the progress that has been made in recent years to roll-out bilingual signage on public transport in west Belfast.

"My Department and Translink worked closely with Forbairt Feirste to implement this important work which was welcomed by the local community. I am keen for more to be done, and Translink is now giving consideration to how bilingual audio can be introduced on the west Belfast Glider service route.

"There have also been requests for bilingual road traffic signage in the west of the city, and I was pleased to hear that my officials have been working to quantify the costs for a proposed pilot for the provision of bilingual traffic signs in the Gaeltacht Quarter. I have asked for this project to progress to the next stage which will involve the detailed design of the signs."