Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

McCausland must outline language strategy without any further delay - Sinn Féin

Published: 30 October, 2009

Speaking after the weekly meeting of the Assembly Committee of CAL, Committee Member and Irish language spokesperson Mickey Brady MLA expressed his disappointment regarding the actions of the DUP minister McCausland.

Mr Brady said;

"Three years since the signing of the St Andrews Agreement and the introduction of the St Andrews Act and two years since DUP minister Poots told us that he intended to bring forward a strategy on the Irish language to the Executive, we are still waiting on an actual proposal to move forward legislation on this issue.

"Sinn Féin's position is clear. We believe the way to depoliticise the question of language legislation is to bring forward an Irish Language Act which can guarantee the rights of those Irish speakers who wish to live their lives through the medium of Irish.

"The various DUP ministers have disagreed with this but accepted their requirement to bring forward an Irish Language Strategy to the Executive. What we see today from this particular minister is a proposal to engage in yet more consultation to find out what this strategy should entail, more stalling!

"The Irish language community have no desire to be involved in this macho war dance with these various DUP appointees as to who best can frustrate their demands and deny their rights.

"Last month our committee (DCAL Committee) hosted representatives from Wales, Scotland and Dublin who explained the advantages of language legislation in their experience. It is time now for the present DUP incumbent to stop the messing and to get on with the job for which he is being very well paid."