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Irish signs row to overshadow Stormont executive meeting


Jayne McCormack

BBC News NI political correspondent

Pacemaker Inside Grand Central Station. There is a large timetable in the background, with ticket machines in the middle of the photo and a help desk to the left. There are multiple people walking around the station. Pacemaker

Unionist parties have argued that the decision on Irish language signage at Grand Central Station was controversial and should have required executive approval

A dispute over Irish language signage at Grand Central Station is being discussed at a meeting of executive ministers.

It comes after Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson said the decision by Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to approve £150,000 for the signs was “bad process”.

On Tuesday, Translink said design work on the new signage had been paused pending potential legal action.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has lodged legal papers seeking leave for a judicial review against the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over the decision, stating it was taken “without executive approval”.

A sign saying welcomes in various different languages in a large station. The Irish word 'fáilte' is in focus. The sign is green with the words in different green fonts. Some passengers are in the background and a Translink worker wearing an orange high-vis jacket is walking by.

Translink said design work on the new signage had been paused pending potential legal action

What is the row over Irish language signs at Grand Central Station?

The Northern Ireland Act, which sets out how the executive operates, states that ministers must bring issues that are significant or controversial – or which cut across the responsibility of two or more ministers – to the executive for approval first.

Unionist parties have argued that the decision on Irish language signage was controversial and therefore should have required executive approval.

They have also questioned the use of public money on the signage at a time when departments are working within a difficult financial climate.

Sinn Féin has not said much publicly about the issue, but on Monday assembly member Declan Kearney emphasised that “the Irish language is now thriving in communities across the island”, despite “a history of persecution and discrimination”.

“That is reflected in the official recognition which it now enjoys both in the south and north of Ireland,” he said.

“Sinn Féin fully supports the rights of Gaeilgeoirí (Irish speakers) as we continue to build a society underpinned by inclusion, rights and respect for all.”

PA Media The outside of a station. Grand Central Station is in large letters at the top of the entrance. PA Media

The dual language signage was due to be installed at the transport hub in south Belfast which opened last year

This is not the first time that parties at Stormont have clashed over the Irish language, but the DUP has insisted this latest issue is “not a crisis”.

Tensions have been growing between the DUP and Sinn Féin over other issues linked to funding for cross-border Irish language services, which are facing a £650,000 cut.

The finger of blame is being pointed at the DUP for refusing to allow the matter to reach the executive.

Northern Ireland anti-poverty strategy on agenda

Ministers are also expected to discuss a draft anti-poverty strategy circulated by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

The strategy was first committed to 18 years ago in an effort to tackle poverty, social exclusion and deprivation.

The long-delayed plan comes weeks after Stormont’s executive committee was found in breach of its legal obligation to adopt the strategy by a court ruling.

It is not clear when the final document will be approved and released to the wider public.

The growing row over Irish-language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station has added another pressure point.



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