Sinn Féin Councillor Chris Mac Cafraidh has welcomed the support of Councillors in Fermanagh & Omagh to reduce the threshold for erecting bilingual street signage.
Tá sé fáilte curtha ag an Chomhairleoir Shinn Féin Chris Mac Cafraidh roimh thacaíocht ó pháirtithe eile leis an táirseach le Comharthaíocht Dhátheangach a chrochadh in airde a ísliú.
Councillor Chris Mac Cafraidh said:
Dúirt an Comhairleoir Chris Mac Cafraidh:
“I welcome the outcome of tonight’s vote which will reduce the threshold for erecting bilingual street signage from 50% of people in a street to just 15%. The request will require only one councillor or resident to begin the consultation.
“Fáiltím roimh an chinneadh anocht. Ní bheith ach le duine nó comhairleoir amháin a theacht chun tosaigh leis an iarratas comharthaíocht dhátheangach a chrochadh in airde. Má ghlacann 15% d’thoghthóirí leis an mholadh, glacfar leis sa chomhairle.
“This will make it easier for people who wish to have their street sign in both English and Irish.
“Déanfaidh sé níos fusa é don té atá ag iarraidh comharthaíocht a bheith in airde i mBéarla agus Gaeilge ina sráid.
“Tonight’s vote reflects the huge rise in streets across the district who have opted to have their name displayed bilingually over recent years.
“Léiríonn an vóta anocht an borradh mór faoi líon na ndaoine a bhfuil ag iarraidh a gcomhartha sráide a bheith dhátheangach le blianta beaga anuas.
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have traditionally had one of the most progressive language policies across the North, this lowering of the threshold will ensure that the policy continues to evolve to meet the ever-growing demand for bilingual signage that has been demonstrated across the area as of late.
“Tá ceann de na Polasaithe Teangaidh is forásaí ag Comhairle Chathair Fhear Manach agus na hÓmaí ar fud an tuaiscirt, cinnteoidh an polasaí seo go n-oirfidh an polasaí seo le freastal ar an éileamh atá borradh tagtha faoi la gáirid.
“In the last census in 2011, 14% of people within the council area declared a knowledge of the Irish Language. As an Irish teacher, I watch the growth of the language daily. This new policy will reflect that growth.
“Sa daonáireamh deireanach, dúirt 14% go raibh eolas ar an Ghaeilge acu. Mar mhúinteoir Gaeilge, tchím an fás na teangaidh achan lá. Léiríodh an polasaí nua seo an fás sin.
“Belfast and Derry/Strabane have recently seen their Bilingual Street Signage Policy change to meet International and European Language Agreements and Charters commitments and guidance. This motion that has been accepted by Fermanagh/Omagh Council should do likewise.
“Chonaic muid le gairid go dtáinig athrú ar Pholasaí Bhéal Feirste agus Dhoire / An tSrátha Báin le cloí le Comhaontaithe agus Cairteacha Domhanda agus Eorpacha. Feictear ceantar s’againne ag cloí leo fosta i ndiaidh na hoíche anocht.
“I would encourage everyone to take an interest and begin a conversation with their families and friends to see bilingual signage erected.”
“D’iarrfainn ar achan duine suim a léiriú agus tús a chur le comhrá lena dteaghlaigh agus cairde le go bhfeiceann muid comharthaíocht dhátheangach in airde.
