Overall "Language Act" would end division on language issue - Parsley

12.05.20pm GMT Thu 14th Dec 2006

Alliance Youth Affairs Spokesperson, Ian James Parsley

Alliance Youth Affairs Spokesperson has slammed the Unionist response to plans for a divisive Irish Language Act as inadequate, saying that the way forward would be an overall Language Act including not only Irish, but also all languages used in Northern Ireland including Sign.

The North Down Councillor stated: "Everyone knows the demand for a specifically Irish Language Act is designed as a further act of division to show Unionists up as unreasonable. Yet again, Unionists have taken the bait and failed to show this campaign up for what it is. Yet again we see the same old predictable sectarian carve-up at work.

"The Government consultation is a sham. English has no official status in Northern Ireland, so how can Irish be 'equal' with it? This is the sort of nonsense which as seen Ulster Scots developed as something other than what is actually spoken, and other languages, not least Sign Language, left out of the debate altogether.

"So I would ask all the parties: what would be the problem with an overall 'Language Act'? Why should users of one language be treated any differently from any other language? When indeed is it an abuse of rights to use a language other than the one understood by almost the entire population?

"That is the answer to this, not divisive squealing from the sidelines. Let us show some real vision. It's time for an end to the sectarian carve-up on this issue and to expensive attempts to illustrate there is a language divide in Northern Ireland when, in practice, the language we use is one of the many things that unifies us. It is time we focused on how we promote our heritage, but also on communicate with each other, not just the authorities."

ENDS