The party have demanded that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons be hauled before the Assembly as the row intensifes
Sinn Fein’s Colm Gildernew MLA(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)
Sinn Féin have demanded that Communities Minister Gordon Lyons be hauled before the Assembly as a bitter row over Irish language street signs intensifies.
The party’s Colm Gildernew accused the DUP minister of showing “contempt towards Irish identity” after funding was pulled from the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project, a key body set up in 1987, which is used to verify Irish translations on bilingual signage.
The move has sparked anger across nationalist parties and language groups, who warn the loss of funding could stall or derail plans for dual-language street signs across Northern Ireland.
Mr Gildernew, who chairs Stormont’s Communities Committee, said he had already raised concerns directly with the minister in recent weeks and is now demanding answers.
“The DUP and Gordon Lyons have shown only contempt towards the Irish identity. This decision is a disgrace,” he said. “We will not accept this approach by the Communities Minister and are demanding that he appears before MLAs tomorrow to answer for it.
“I have been raising the issue of funding for the Place-Name Project with the minister for a number of weeks, making it clear that funding must continue. “Sinn Féin will not tolerate the continuing scornful attitude displayed by an increasingly rogue, intransigent DUP hellbent on trying to turn back the clock to the days of unionist misrule. There will be no going back. “My party will work to ensure the Place-Name Project can continue its vital work.”
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