Write a commentDown District Council's DUP Councillor Garth Craig has suggested that the recent decision from the incoming Newry, Mourne and Down Council to place the districts name in Irish first on it's official Logo and communications will contribute towards creating a cold house for Unionists.
Speaking after the decision Councillor Craig said “This new Council is inheriting an existing workforce with an under-representation of Protestants. If this decision is allowed to stand then it would exacerbate that unacceptable situation. Following on from the likes of the McCreesh park decision, the intent to create a cold house for Unionists will be clear for all to see. People should take confidence from the unity of purpose their representatives are showing to oppose this attempt to discriminate."
Newry and Mourne Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor also spoke of his disapproval as the Unionist grouping formally requested the call-in of the Council’s Irish first proposals. “This Council area has amongst the smallest Protestant and Unionist communities of all Council areas in Northern Ireland. The manner in which nationalist councillors have tried to steam roller this decision without fulfilling legal requirements demonstrates this is an attempt to domineer and lord it over a vulnerable minority.
Councillor Taylor continued "Republicans and Nationalists must face up to the fact that the rights of the minority Unionist community have to be protected. They will be resisted at every opportunity in their attempts to ride roughshod over our rights, which are every bit as legitimate as the majority community in the District."
Commenting on the decision Newry and Mourne Sinn Fein councillor Barra O’Muiri said unionists have nothing to fear from the Irish language. “The announcement by the Unionist groupings on Newry, Mourne and Down Council of their intention to use the 'call-in' procedure has disappointed many” he said.
“Time and again I have told my fellow councillors of the need for mutual understanding and respect when dealing with bilingualism, time and again they have refused to listen.
“The Irish language does not belong to any political party, it does not belong to any particular persuasion, and the assertion by the Unionist councillors that this in any way creates division is misleading and incorrect.
“Through concerted efforts, the Unionist councillors have attempted to halt progress, to stifle growth, to regress to the politics of sectarianism. We, in Sinn Féin continue to work towards a situation where all citizens of Newry, Mourne and Down will appreciate the Irish language. Where is the leadership within Unionism in our district? Which councillor would support a constituent wishing to learn Irish?”
The Sinn Féin elected representative said unionist elected representatives in Newry, Mourne & Down would be better following the example of many from the Protestant Unionist tradition across the north who are reclaiming the language.
“In recent times, the East Belfast Mission has given a floor in the Skainos Centre to the promotion of the Irish language. They are currently running 8 Irish classes each week. The Irish language development officer Linda Ervine speaks of a growing desire among Protestant, unionist and loyalist people to learn Irish.
“How can things be so diametrically opposed in Newry, Mourne and Down? Why does Councillor Taylor feel that there is an attempt to 'domineer and lord over a vulnerable minority? Why does Councillor Craig feel that the Bilingualism Policy of the Council exacerbates an unacceptable position?
“History shows us the significant extent of unionist contributions to the revival of the Irish language in the 18th and 19th centuries. Perhaps the Unionist Councillors of Newry, Mourne and Down could learn a lot from their history.
Councillor O'Muiri concluded “The Irish language is for everyone, owned by us all, and to be feared by no-one.”
