DCAL policy promotes sectarianism: Parsley

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Jun 2005

North Down Alliance Councillor Ian Parsley has said that the linguistic carve-up promoted by the Department of Culture amounts to promoting sectarianism.

The Holywood representative stated: "Department officials have essentially admitted to me and others that language policy is not based on what is good for speakers, but on what suits the political process.

"This effectively means it is abusing languages to promote a sectarian carve-up. Our political process has now come to the stage where policy is based on a 'sweetie for one side and a sweetie for the other side', regardless of identified need, and regardless of cost to the public purse.

"This carve-up effectively means it is beneficial to be sectarian -- so that Government can 'balance' funding for one 'side' with funding for the other. This is not the officials, fault; it is the fault of our politicians for endlessly pursuing policy based on carve-up rather than inclusion.

"However, it leaves the Minister with some serious questions to answer. Would it not be a rather better idea to spend public money where it is actually needed?"

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Ian Parsley is a member of the UK Institute of Linguists, the Irish Translators, and Interpreters, Association, and is an languages graduate.