Provo Minister set to promote Irish
26 May 2011
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Toady’s meeting of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee at Stormont was noteworthy for a number of reasons. First and foremost was the startling lack of any comment, certainly in the public session, on the Minister’s decision to appoint a convicted murderer as her special adviser. It is evident that Stormont wishes to move on and have as little fuss as possible about this. I have tabled a motion on the issue which will give members an opportunity to prove me wrong and express their disgust in relation to the matter – if it gets past the Business Committee.
“It was also clear from the meeting that the new Culture Minister intends to push ahead with bringing an Irish Language Act before the Assembly and even if this is vetoed plans to use the Irish Language Strategy – something which was conceded by the previous Minister – to promote the language at every opportunity. Indeed, it was described by the Minister as a “priority”.
“It is evident even at this very early stage that Sinn Fein/IRA intend to use their time in DCAL to erode the Britishness of Northern Ireland”.
