Sinn Féin Councillor Ryan Carlin has said moves by parties on Lisburn and Castlereagh Council to block a change to the bilingual street signage policy is contrary to the growth of the Irish language in the area.   

 Cllr Ryan Carlin said:

“It’s extremely disappointing that parties on Lisburn and Castlereagh Council have blocked a proposal to implement a more progressive street signage policy in the Council area. 

“Is ábhar díomá é gur vótáil páirtithe ar Chomhairle Lios na gCearrbhach agus an Caisleán Riabhach in éadan rún le polasaí comharthaíochta is forásaí sa chomhairle a thabhairt isteach.

 “This runs contrary to the growing and vibrant Irish language community across our council area.

‘Ní léiriú seo ar phobal na Gaeilge bríomhar sa cheantar atá ag fás i rith an ama.

 “The current bilingual signage policy is outdated and does not reflect this changing community and desire to see bilingual signage erected across the council area.

“Ní léiriú an polasaí reatha ar an phobal seo agus a mian comharthaíocht dhátheangach a bheith crochta in airde.

“International and European guidance states that signage is a key factor in raising awareness of a minority language and given that many place names derive from the Irish Language, it makes sense that that rich culture of place names is represented. 

“Léiríonn an Chomhairle Idirnáisiúnta agus Eorpach go bhfuil an chomharthaíocht ar cheann de na modhanna is fearr feasacht a thógáil faoi theanga mhionlach. Tá bunús na logainmneacha inár gcomhairle ceantair ag teacht ón Ghaeilge, luíonn ciall leis an stair shaibhir seo a chur roimh an phobal.

 “This results in a bizarre scenario where residents in Lagmore need the support of 15% to erect bilingual signage, while residents a few miles up the road in Lisburn have to go through an outdated policy which has been challenged multiple times in the courts.

“Tá cás aisteach anois againn ina dtig le háitritheoirí ar an Lag Mhór ar imeall Bhéal Feirste Theas comharthaíocht dhátheangach a chrochadh le tacaíocht ó 15% d’áitritheoirí ach tá ar dhaoine cúpla míle fá sin i Lios na gCearrbhach gabháil leis an sean-pholasaí a ndearnadh dúshlán dlí a chur roimhe neart uaireanta.’

“Sinn Féin will be seeking legal advice on this issue over the coming weeks.”

“Beidh comhairle dlí a lorg ag Sinn Féin sna míonna amach romhainn.’