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

LOCAL SINN FEIN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORT RALLY FOR IRISH LANGUAGE ACT

Published: 13 October, 2008

Sinn Fein DRD Minister accompanied Irish language activists and Sinn Fein elected representatives from both Newry and Mourne and Armagh City and District areas at Saturdays Acht na Gaelige -Irish Language Act Rally in Belfast city centre.

Expressing his support and solidarity with the March Conor said

"Gregory Campbell as Culture Minister should be long-sighted on this matter. He is in a position to show leadership to his party. The Irish language threatens no one. It is not compulsory. Irish language rights threaten no one. The revival of the Irish language has been a cultural success story. More and more people are using Irish. Young children in particular are being educated in increasing numbers through the medium of Irish and it is their future and their rights that must be secured through legislation". Armagh City and District Councillor Cathy Rafferty who also attended the Rally stated "It is unfortunate that the Minister's stance has been so negative and this is certainly not in the spirit of a partnership in the Executive or the Assembly" whilst her Sinn Fein colleague Newry and Mourne Councillor Pat Mc Ginn stated "It is with regret that unionists have used this question as a political football rather than an administrative issue". The three Sinn Féin elected representatives concluded by stating that they were confident that if all continued to campaign and argue for Acht na Gaeilge, that it would be achieved