Irish language 'weaponised', says communities minister

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons speaking at a Stormont committee

Stormont's communities minister has said the Irish language has been used by some as a "weapon of cultural dominance" as he defended his approach to developing a language strategy.

Gordon Lyons clashed with members of a Northern Ireland Assembly scrutiny committee over delays in bringing forward the plan.

Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew, chair of the committee, accused Lyons of "setting your face against bringing forward an Irish language strategy".

However the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister dismissed the accusation, saying that "work is continuing" with input being sought from various Stormont departments.

"I do not object whatsoever to anyone learning a language or speaking a language or celebrating the Irish language," he told the committee.

"What I want to make sure is that what we do is proportional, what we do is affordable, and what we do is not seen as an imposition on other people."

He said the development of an Irish language strategy has "gone through the exact same process" as others being developed including for Ulster Scots.

Speaking at the communities committee on Thursday, the minister said he would be "making sure that what we bring forward is fair".

He argued that "we don't have fairness in terms of language right now", citing concerns over Belfast City Council's policy on bilingual street signage.

It involves a proposal for a street being considered by a council committee if 15% or more of all occupants surveyed express support.

"I don't think we have taken the right approach," Lyons said.

"Look at what Belfast City Council have done in particular where the majority can be cast aside."

Gildernew said he was "extremely concerned" by the minister's comments.

"I'm extremely worried now minister what you're really doing is setting your face against bringing forward an Irish language strategy," he said.

Sinn Féín assembly member Colm Gildernew, chair of the communities committee

Lyons replied: "No, I think that's what you want it to appear like so that you can use it to attack me."

He said that some people have used the Irish language "to impose on others" and "as a weapon of cultural dominance".

"So you can understand why some people are a little bit sceptical about some of the approaches that have been taken," he added.

Lyons said developing the Irish language strategy "has now been made more complex" due to a judicial review being pursued by campaigners.

But he said "in the meantime, the work is continuing within the departments".

'No weapon for anybody'

Alliance Party assembly member Sian Mulholland told the minister she educates her children in Irish, describing the language as "exceptional and beautiful".

She said it helped her children's literacy skills and cognitive development.

"I'm not someone who looks at cultural dominance, however, I see the value of that without it being political," she said.

"My children singing, 'Baa, Baa, Caora Dubh' - 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep' - is no weapon for anybody."

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland speaking at a Stormont committee

Mulholland said that "the weaponisation has happened for me on both sides".

"And I think that has to be addressed as well and that has to be acknowledged," she added.

Lyons responded: "By the way, I don't believe it should be politicised. I wish it didn't have the connotations that it did either."