News

Unionist 'culture act' proposal unacceptable to nationalists

Senior Sinn Féin representatives at May's march in Belfast supporting an Irish language act. Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Senior Sinn Féin representatives at May's march in Belfast supporting an Irish language act. Picture by Justin Kernoghan Senior Sinn Féin representatives at May's march in Belfast supporting an Irish language act. Picture by Justin Kernoghan

SINN Féin and the SDLP are opposed to a "catch all" culture act and insist only standalone provisions for the Irish language are acceptable to nationalists.

The two parties outlined their broad stance on proposals for an act na gaeilge in the aftermath of the latest Stormont talks process petering out a fortnight ago.

An Irish language act is regarded as one of the key sticking points in the negotiations to restore devolution.

The DUP has proposed a culture act that would encompass provisions for the Ulster Scots dialect alongside those for Irish.

The Irish News reported yesterday that the two main Irish language advocacy groups are opposed to composite legislation that includes Ulster Scots. Pobal and Conradh na Gaeilge believe anything but a standalone act would undermine efforts to protect and promote the Irish language.

In recent weeks, both the Ulster Unionist Party and the Orange Order have voiced concerns about a potential Irish language act.

UUP leader Robin Swann said the proposed Irish language legislation was a "Trojan horse" that Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams would "use in his campaign against unionism".

Orange Order deputy grand master Harold Henning described calls for an Irish language act as "simply the next chapter in the republican campaign to rid Northern Ireland of any semblance of British cultural identity".

However, it now appears a majority of assembly parties and the Irish government support discrete legislation.

A Sinn Féin spokesman told The Irish News that its call for a standalone act na gaeilge had widespread support in Ireland and was based on international experience.

"Sinn Féin wish to see a stand-alone Irish language act which is prudent, practical and pragmatic," the spokesman said.

"This is alongside the committee of experts at the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Irish government - all of whom say a stand-alone Irish language Act is the only way to ensure effective promotion and respect for the Irish language.”

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said a catch all culture act would "not be sufficient".

"All the research that we have looked at, informed our view that there must be a standalone Irish language act – in terms of linguistic rights, experts have proven and accepted that," he said.

"We must have respect for the complexities of the language and provide rightful recognition."

Mr McClone said Irish language legislation was achievable but it required "political will from the DUP and Sinn Féin".

Alliance said it could support a culture act but in addition to, rather than alongside, provisions for Irish.

"Alliance could support a wider cultural act but as an addition to a standalone Irish language act, which is necessary in its own right to facilitate political progress here," a spokesman said.

"The content of the act needs to be carefully considered in a reasonable and proportionate manner."