Protest follows strike action in February as groups seek immediate solution and fair investment in Irish language communities
A large crowd convened outside Stormont this morning protesting against the latest north-south funding cuts to Irish language groups. The protest follows strike action undertaken by Irish language groups across Ireland at the end of February, following €820,000 of cuts announced by the cross-border body Foras na Gaeilge.
This latest cut comes at a time when the DUP is blocking a proposal to amend the funding structure of the Language Body. At present, 25% of Foras na Gaeilge’s budget comes from the government in the north and 75% from the government in the south and neither government can put additional money towards the Foras budget without the equivalent from the other government. Recently, a new arrangement was agreed between the two Ministers of Finance, announced at the North South Ministerial Council, which would allow either government to put additional money towards the budget of An Foras Teanga without the equivalent of the other government.
It has since emerged that the DUP has blocked this proposal from going on the Executive’s agenda at least 7 times since October 2024. Therefore, the DUP is effectively vetoing additional funding for the Irish language on a 32 county basis at a time when the Irish Government has said that they have extra money ready to go immediately to Foras na Gaeilge.
Speaking at the protest at Stormont, Chairperson of the Belfast-based Irish language community and youth organisation, Glór na Móna, and Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, Conchúr Ó Muadaigh said:
“This series of national protests are hugely significant. They are building on historic strike action which took place across Ireland last month. The Irish language community once again finds itself outside of Stormont calling for change, for respect and for support. And we know that we will have to stand our ground and continue to agitate and organise until our concerns are adequately addressed. We know there is a possible solution on the table, developed and agreed by both Finance Ministers. But we also know that the DUP has now blocked that paper from even coming in front of the Executive for consideration at least 7 times since October. That opposition is leaving community groups and organisations under huge financial pressures, at a time where there is additional funds available in the south to address some of these challenges. That is not a sustainable position for the DUP and we call on them to reconsider their opposition. Many of the groups here today are gravely concerned about their futures, the future of their schemes and their services, many of which are now in imminent danger. We all need a solution and we need it now.”
Siubhán Nic Amhlaoibh, Director of Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Derry City, spoke at today’s protest:
“Our services are in danger. Our schemes are in danger. And that means that our language community, who depend so much on the core community services we offer, is now in danger. We travelled down to Stormont from Derry this morning to stand shoulder to shoulder with many other community organisations who are facing the same cuts and the same crisis. These are groups who offer massive community support services day after day and now find themselves struggling to keep their doors open and their lights on. We are aware of the proposal on the table that could resolve a lot of our concerns, but the DUP is refusing to agree to that proposal, or even to allow it as far as the Executive to discuss it. That really rubs salt into the wound. We want to continue on with our programmes of work, providing youth clubs, organising summer schemes, festivals, community support schemes and much more throughout the coming months. But unless there is a solution found to the current impasse, many of those schemes and programmes will unfortunately be scaled back or cancelled in the coming weeks and months. This funding crisis presents a huge threat to our entire community and we vow to fight tooth and nail until this situation is adequately resolved.”
Today’s protest will be followed by another protest outside of Dáil Éireann tomorrow, Wednesday 26th March at 12pm.
