SOS Benn meets Conradh na Gaeilge during a visit to West-Belfast Irish language organisation Glór na Móna
Conchúr Ó Muadaigh, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, said:
"Conradh na Gaeilge took the opportunity to welcome the Repeal of the 1737 ban of Irish in courts here, following a recent announcement by the SOS, and his positive comments around dual-language signage in Grand Central Station. The meeting focused around our concerns regarding increased opposition from the DUP and others to the Irish language in recent weeks, including opposition to dual-language signage at Grand Central Station, the consistent blocking by the Deputy First Minister of a new funding model for Foras na Gaeilge and the delays by the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons in bringing forward a new Irish language Strategy, delays which have resulted in a third Judicial Review challenge. All of that comes in the context where the DUP have recently signed off on the appointment process for an Irish language Commissioner. We made it abundantly clear to the SOS, that if the DUP continue their long-standing opposition to Irish language rights, which will ultimately cripple the work of the Commissioner and erode confidence in the institutions, then the onus will be on the SOS to intervene and implement those language rights himself. The 2022 Identity and Language Act contains bespoke 'step-in' powers that will allow the SOS to do just that and we took this opportunity to inform him of our expectation that he will use those powers if that scenario arises."
