Language Issue Is Assembly Talking Point

Language and cultural diversity featured in the Assembly this week with a surprise presentation in Ulster-Scots by veteran republican and senior Sinn Fein figure, Gerry Kelly.

The MLA said he was making a personal pitch for cultural diversity before the Junior Minister switched to the Irish tongue instead.

Underlining the party's opposition to an Ulster Unionist motion attempting to limit use of the Irish Language in Stormont, Mr Kelly then joined with his Sinn Fein colleagues, the SDLP and Alliance MLAs to roundly defeat the motion.

The motion - critical of the new Irish language legislation - was defeated by 44 votes to 46.

It's author, MLA, David McNarry revealed he had devised his motion after receiving a written reply from Education Minister Caitriona Ruane half written in Irish.

He had written back, telling Ms Ruane he had found her letter "intimidating, disrespectful and off-putting" but had yet to receive even an acknowledgement.

Acknowledging MLAs and Ministers had the right to speak in the language of their choice, Mr McNarry said the same right did not apply to writing.

Whatever decision had been made about an Irish Language Act at the St Andrews talks a year ago, it was, he said: "Profoundly unsettling for unionists with potentially very damaging implications for community relations and relations in the Assembly."

But Sinn Féin party whip Carál Ní Chuilín thanked Mr McNarry for creating more Irish language speakers and allowing enthusiasts to win the argument over language rights.

"The determination of unionist politicians to block any recognition of the Irish Language is a misguided and macho demonstration of anti-Irish bigotry," the north Belfast MLA said.

language community, in rights that were part of the Good Friday Agreement, which the UUP supported.

However, the DUP's Nelson McCausland said the abrasiveness from the Irish language lobby had to go so the language can become "part of our cultural wealth".

The SDLP's Dominic Bradley said the message should be that the Assembly is open to diversity "not that we are narrow-minded bigots who cannot share our own cultural traditions".

(BMcC)