Irish-language sign row to be discussed at executive meeting

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said her party made "no apology" for asking questions

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has said she will raise the issue of Irish language signage at Grand Central Station at Thursday's executive meeting.

It follows the decision by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to approve £150,000 for Irish-language signage at the new Belfast station.

Speaking in the assembly on Monday, Little-Pengelly said her party made "no apology" for asking questions about spending of public funds.

"It's important we do ask questions, it's very unclear how this decision has been made, has it been the minister imposing it on Translink? Is it Translink that has made it under the direction of the minister?" she said.

"There are significant questions to be asked not least about the cost of it."

Sinn Féin 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."

'Another crocodile moment'

Speaking in the assembly, Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) assembly member Sinead McLaughlin said it was "in no-one's interests to manufacture another crocodile moment".

People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll said public transport stations in other parts of the UK had bilingual signage and accused the deputy first minister of having an "offensive approach" to the Irish language.

Little-Pengelly replied that there had been "significant investment" in the language and that her party stood over its approach on this matter.

A row over the Irish language around the executive table is nothing new but this one has been simmering for some time.

Sinn Féin has accused the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of blocking the executive from resolving a funding crisis for cross-border Irish language services, which are facing a £650,000 cut.

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

So this latest row over Irish-language signage at Belfast Central Station has added another pressure point.

'Pet projects'

Gavin Robinson has described the signs as a "pet project" of Sinn Féin

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has also warned that his party has put a "marker" down at Stormont to block Sinn Féin spending money on "pet projects".

In an email to his supporters over the weekend, the DUP leader said the signage decision was now being challenged around the executive table.

It is understood DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has posed a series of questions about the move in a letter to the infrastructure minister.

Last week Little-Pengelly criticised the decision, claiming "much of the £150,000 will be used to rip out new signs" to "drive forward a political agenda" by the infrastructure minister.

She also questioned spending the money at a time when the executive financially was in a "very difficult place".

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said her decision reflected the "thriving Irish language community"

But in announcing the extra funding, Kimmins said it was a "hugely positive development" which reflected the "thriving Irish language community".

She also confirmed her decision had passed an equality screening exercise which showed it would have "a minor positive impact".

On Monday, a Department of Infrastructure spokesperson said: "Given the potential legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

It may come down to whether or not the decision by the infrastructure minister to approve funding for the signs should have been subject to wider executive approval.

Robinson believes it should.

"This is clearly a controversial matter and our ministers will use their position at the executive table to not only get to the bottom of how the decision was made but put a marker down that public money cannot be used to further Sinn Féin's pet project," the DUP leader said.

Whether the decision can be taken by a single minister depends on whether it is considered "controversial" and/or cross-cutting, in other words whether it falls under the purview of multiple departments.

History tell us it may be a judge and not a minister who decides, if we reach that point.