Benn questions 'fuss' over Irish language signs

Hilary Benn said the signs were about "respecting and celebrating" all traditions

The Northern Ireland secretary has questioned the "fuss" surrounding Irish language signs at Belfast's Grand Central Station.

Hilary Benn told BBC News NI the signs were about "respecting and celebrating" all of the traditions, adding there were "so many more important things than having an argument about signs".

Benn was responding to the political row over a move by the Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, to approve £150,000 for the Irish language signage.

The minister has said she "stands firm" on her decision despite criticism from the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP's) Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Little-Pengelly described the handling of the issue as "utterly shambolic", adding it was a "significant and controversial" matter that needed approval from the Northern Ireland Executive.

But Sinn Féin's First Minister Michelle O'Neill defended her party colleague, insisting it was the right decision and "no one has anything to fear from the Irish language".

Work on the new signage has been paused pending the outcome of legal action

What did Hilary Benn say?

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Benn said he did not "understand what the fuss is about, because this is about respecting and celebrating all of the traditions".

"I just think there are so many more important things than having an argument about signs.

"I mean, come on," he added.

Work on the new signage at Belfast Grand Central Station has been paused pending the outcome of a legal challenge by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.

He has lodged papers seeking leave for a judicial review against the Department for Infrastructure over the decision, stating it was taken "without executive approval".

Protesters opposed to the Irish language signage also held a demonstration inside the station on Monday night.

What's the reaction to Hilary Benn on Irish language signs?

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Mike Nesbitt called the interview "extraordinary" and described what the secretary of state said about the Irish language as "totally imbalanced".

"Mr Benn says he wants us all to celebrate all traditions. Does that include the tradition of some republicans to believe every word spoken in Irish is another bullet fired in the battle for Irish freedom?

"I'm disappointed he does not realise progress requires compromise, not fully-throated support for one side or the other," Nesbitt added.

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) deputy leader Ron McDowell said: "If that is genuinely the position of the secretary of state then Mr Benn badly needs to educate himself."

"As for claiming that this is about 'respecting and celebrating all of the traditions', Mr Benn is, again, frankly wrong," he added.