Communal approach destroying the Irish Language - Parsley

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Apr 2006

Young Alliance Chair Cllr Ian James Parsley has said that the "communal approach" has led to the sectarianization and destruction of the Irish language - and said that an all-island Liberal approach is the only way to reverse this.

Speaking at a Young Progressive Democrat seminar during the Progressive Democrats' Conference in Limerick on Saturday [22nd], Cllr Parsley stated: "Yet again we hear the call for 'Nationalists to reach out to Unionists', and for 'Unionists to reach out to Nationalists'. But such tribalism always gives way to the lowest common denominator.

"Nonsense such as the comparison of the Irish language to 'another bullet in the freedom struggle' or a 'leprechaun language' may not have worked for the language - but they certainly worked electorally for the people who made the comparisons. That is the nature of tribal politics - a zero sum game with no room for moderation.

"Instead of this communal top-down approach, what is required is a Liberal approach, based not on communities facing off against each other, but on individuals wanting to promote the language doing so together.

"The focus should not be on 'Government intervention' or the technicalities of status, but rather on ensuring that those who wish to access the Irish language can do so, regardless of background - be that through educational resources, broadcasting, or publishing facilities. The emphasis must be on Government facilitation, not Government enforcement; on choice, not compulsion.

"That is the way to free up the Irish language so that people of all backgrounds on this island can learn it and develop it for future generations. I look forward to working with my colleagues in both Liberal parties on this island to develop an all-island Liberal approach to this and other issues, focusing on bringing barriers down to maximize the emphasis on common ground and common goals for everyone."

ENDS