Irish signage row to overshadow executive meeting

A dispute over Irish language signage at Grand Central Station will be raised at a meeting of executive ministers later on Thursday.

It comes after Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson said the decision by Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to approve £150,000 for the signs was “bad process”.

On Tuesday, Translink said design work on the new signage had been paused pending potential legal action.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson has lodged legal papers seeking leave for a judicial review against the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over the decision, stating it was taken “without executive approval”.

The Northern Ireland Act, which sets out how the executive operates, states that ministers must bring issues that are significant or controversial or which cut across the responsibility of two or more ministers to the executive for approval first.

Unionist parties have argued that the decision on Irish language signage was controversial and therefore should have required executive approval.

They have also questioned the use of public money on the signage at a time when departments are working within a difficult financial climate.

Sinn Féin has not said much publicly about the issue, but on Monday assembly member Declan Kearney emphasised that “the Irish language is now thriving in communities across the island”, despite “a history of persecution and discrimination”.

“That is reflected in the official recognition which it now enjoys both in the south and north of Ireland,” he said.

“Sinn Féin fully supports the rights of Gaeilgeoirí (Irish speakers) as we continue to build a society underpinned by inclusion, rights and respect for all.”

This is not the first time that parties at Stormont have clashed over the Irish language, but the DUP has insisted this latest issue is “not a crisis”.

Tensions have been growing between the DUP and Sinn Féin over other issues linked to funding for cross-border Irish language services, which are facing a £650,000 cut.

The finger of blame is being pointed at the DUP for refusing to allow the matter to reach the executive.

Ministers are also expected to discuss a draft anti-poverty strategy circulated by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

The strategy was first committed to 18 years ago in an effort to tackle poverty, social exclusion and deprivation.

The long-delayed plan comes weeks after Stormont’s executive committee was found in breach of its legal obligation to adopt the strategy by a court ruling.

It is not clear when the final document will be approved and released to the wider public.

The growing row over Irish-language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station has added another pressure point.