Northern Ireland

'There can be no more delays to Irish Language Act' - Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald addressing the party's northern leadership on Saturday.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald addressing the party's northern leadership on Saturday. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald addressing the party's northern leadership on Saturday.

THERE can be no more delays to the introduction of an Irish Language Act at Stormont, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has told party members in the north.

Speaking remotely at the AGM of Sinn Féin’s six county cúige on Saturday, the Dublin TD said the commitments contained in the New Decade New Approach deal must be honoured.

The Sinn Féin leader made the comments after apparent discord within the DUP over the issue last week.

A senior DUP source reportedly told BBC Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan Show that the party "will not allow an Irish Language Act, while the NI protocol remains".

In a statement, the DUP later said it was "committed to the balanced upholding of all aspects of the devolution settlement".

Speaking on Saturday, Ms McDonald said Sinn Féin’s ministers in the Executive were delivering on last year’s agreement to restore the institutions at Stormont “despite the efforts of those who want to frustrate and block change”.

She added: “Commitments that were entered into in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, including Acht Na Gaeilge must be honoured. There can be no more delays.”

The Sinn Féin president also reiterated her call for the preparations to begin for constitutional change on the island.

“We are not saying that a united Ireland will happen today or tomorrow,” she said. “But we are saying that we must prepare for constitutional change.

“We must prepare for a referendum on Irish unity, for the people to have their say.

“The political systems - north and south must prepare. Both governments must prepare.”

Yesterday, a new poll from Red C Research put Sinn Féin at 29 per cent in the Republic, neck and neck with Fine Gael on 30 per cent.

Both parties are now well ahead of Fianna Fáil, according to the poll. Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s party fell two percentage points to just 11 per cent.

Saturday’s Sinn Féin AGM also saw Gerry Kelly elected as chair of the party’s organisation in the north.

"I'm proud to have been elected as the chair of the six-county cúige of Sinn Féin and to be joining a strong and experienced team,” said the North Belfast MLA.

“Sinn Féin is the biggest party in Ireland with a thousand new members joining the party in the last year alone despite the challenges of the pandemic.”