Allister responds to latest Irish Language consultation
05 June 2007
Jim Allister, Member of the European Parliament for Northern Ireland has responded to the latest consultation exercise on the proposed Irish Language Act. The MEP described the proposal as likely to have a damaging effect on community relations and an “insidious sop to republicans”. Mr. Allister had earlier called for the consultation to be withdrawn because of what he described as “serious irregularities” in the consultation process.
Jim Allister said:
“This consultation process is working towards a fixed agenda, namely the creation of a robust and obtrusive Irish Language Act. Nowhere in the various consultation documents that have been published are we asked the most basic question: does Northern Ireland actually need an Irish language Act? Instead we have outlined to us in this latest document four different options for enactment in legislation – each one a lighter or darker shade of green. This is characteristic of the approach adopted by the direct rule Minister on this issue and confirms that the creation of such legislation was nothing more than an insidious sop to Sinn Fein.
In the context of devolution it is now up to the local Minister to take the decisions on the issue. He cannot take refuge in that which he inherited. He is now in charge. Hence on the first day Minister Poots took office I wrote to him urging that he should withdraw this present consultation document, because of both its irredeemably flawed history and the fact that to allow it to continue could entrap him into some form of legislation. I very much regret that he has not withdrawn this document and, indeed, after 4 weeks has failed to even respond to my letter.
The Minister having failed to withdraw the document I now respond to it in the attached detailed submission.”
To read Jim Allister's consultation in full, click here: http://www.jimallister.org/uploads/_239.pdf
