The row over the use of the Irish language in the new shadow Newry Mourne and Down District Council has become complex and muddied and probably will not clear itself finally after a few skirmishes until after 1 April when the Council takes over from the two legacy councils.
It began with a debate over the use of Irish being included above the English on the back of a proposal by Sinn Féin councillor Barra O Muiri on the new council logo, and has spilled over to another contentious area of the Irish language being used in letter-headed paper and other items. It has been agreed to date that the Irish language is on top of the English in the new council logo.
Following the late presentation of a council paper dismissing a Call-in by unionists about the introduction and use of the Irish language in Newry, Mourne & Down Council, the SDLP proposed a week long recess to allow councillors times to examine the decision and appreciate the merits of the introduction of the Irish language.
Speaking after the shadow meeting Newry, Mourne & Down Council on Tuesday 3 March, SDLP group leader Councillor Colin McGrath said: “The legal opinion for the introduction of our council bilingual policy was presented to some councillors one hour before the meeting and to others 13 minutes prior to its commencement; some didn’t even get the paper at all.
“We felt that this was not an acceptable timescale to allow full council to examine the detail and to accept this decision. Democracy cannot be rushed and due process ignored in an attempt to alienate some in the community.
“It is important that we work with the unionist community to ensure a progressive acceptance of the Irish language. We don’t feel this can be achieved by rushing decisions and not giving members the opportunity to examine and consider the documentation.
“We proposed a seven day recess in this decision to allow a full understanding of its impact. The SDLP wholeheartedly and unambiguously supports the introduction of the Irish language. We don’t want to see this decision taken by the back-door in a rushed manner that alienates and divides our community.
“A one week recess would allow for a greater acceptance of the decision and a less divisive council and as such enhanced community relations in the Newry, Mourne & Down Council area.”
Following the full Shadow Council meeting of the new council, which finally endorsed the legal opinion on the Call-in, Garth Craig, DUP group leader said: “I respect anyone’s right, who has a keen interest in the Irish language, to see it promoted in the District. That however is not the issue regarding the Call-in. It is the unwarranted position given to the Irish by Council in demanding that it be placed first, before the English, which is the leading language by far in the District.
“The legal opinion from the QC on the Call-in acknowledged that the decision by Council to use Irish first was both ‘politically charged and contentious’ and that there was a ‘chill factor’ towards Unionists in the District. I am disappointed that in spite of the strong arguments against having the Irish first, this has been overturned by the lawyer.
“Now that this decision has been endorsed by Council, the challenge is for Council to ensure that the Unionist minority does not feel excluded in any way and that their rights and cultural identity is also given the respect it deserves.”
Councillor Patrick Brown (Alliance), made an amendment to the Barra O Muirra proposal, and said to Down News afterwards: “Enough with trojan horses and political footballs. It’s about time our local representatives took some time to reassess exactly what equality means. Over the past few weeks in the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area, we’ve seen two prominent issues raised relating to culture and the past.
“These issues are the introduction of bilingual branding for the new super council and the naming of a children’s play park after hunger striker Raymond McCreesh. Both have been supported by the nationalist community on the grounds of promoting equality and rejected by the unionist community on the grounds of discrimination.
“Both opinions cannot be right in both cases, and I propose a third opinion. Equality is not about getting your way. It is about reaching compromise and finding a shared understanding that can enable multiple viewpoints, ideas and cultures to be heard, considered and experienced. It is certainly not about threatening to ‘make a bonfire’ of council stationary simply because it has Irish on its logo.
“It’s about finding space for the promotion of the Irish language, a vital part of our shared heritage, whilst making sure minority communities in no way feel threatened. This is why I proposed and passed an amendment at council to allow any councillor to choose which language they would like on stationary and similar items.
“But it is one thing to promote an historic aspect of culture such as language. It is quite another to name a community space after a man who, regardless of whether he’s viewed as a hero by a segment of the community, was involved in highly dubious, violent activity. As such his name and legacy has no place whatsoever attached to a children’s play park. This is an example of thoughtless, provocative politics designed only to offend a significant minority in our new council area. Politicians must stop using equality to get their way, and start using it to find a better way forward for all of us.”
Councillor Henry Reilly UKIP from the Kilkeel arra, who remonstrated strongly at the meeting, said: “If I was a Unionist on a Unionist-controlled council and saw Catholics being abused or having something imposed on them that they objected to, in such a personal and close quarter fashion, I would fight tooth and nail to make sure they included as part of the council.
“I just cannot understand the fanaticism on the part of Sinn Féin and some SDLP members to drive the Irish language agenda when it does so much damage and alienates so many people. If these zealots truly wanted to develop the Irish language, they would be fostering it and not forcing it.”
Councillor Billy Walker (DUP) also expressed his frustration with the decision and said: “It is up to everyone to shape their own perspective on the use of the Irish language. It should not be used politically as it appears in the shadow Newry Mourne and Down Council. I am fully committed to equality but what equality is there here for Unionists?
“This began with a debate over the use of the Irish language in Council branding and has heated up and the eight Unionists ( 4 DUP, 1 UUP and 1 UKIP) who sit on the new Council and are a significant minority are clearly not happy with this.
“If we are forced to use headed paper and other items with the Irish language we will not be using them. I will make my own arrangements to get my stationery printed without the Irish.
“We will not have the Irish language shoved down our throats. We will if we have to go to the Equality Commission and check if this policy etc has been properly equality screened. It all seems to be politically motivated. I do believe there are councillors who use the Irish language as a cultural expression, but it clearly appears to be used as apolitical tool and we are not having it.”
Councillor Harold McKee (UUP) said: “I seconded Henry Reilly’s proposal. We will have the opportunity to revisit this in the new council and hopefully get it turned round after the first of April when the new Council begins. And there is always the potential to refer the matter to the Equality Commission. But we are siting on it at the minute and not panicking.
Sinn Féin Councillor Barra O Muiri explained: “Oncer again I have to say that Unionists have nothing to fear from the Irish language. I have made this proposal three times to council to date and it has used up a lot of council time and energy. The first time I proposed it, it was challenged as expected. The second time the SDLP refused to support it siding with the Unionists, and the third time, the SDLP eventually supported my proposal.
“The Irish language does not belong to anyone. I have tried to promote its use to as many people as possible. We do need to be considerate in the tone and language we use in our debates and we should refrain from anything that polarises our communities.
“We must strive for mutual understanding and respect especially when dealing with bilingualism. We must get away from the sectarianism of the past.
“We, in Sinn Féin continue to work towards a situation where all citizens of Newry, Mourne and Down will appreciate the Irish language.”
The Sinn Féin councillor 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.
He added: “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.
“The Irish language is for everyone, owned by us all, and to be feared by no-one.”
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