‘Unionist call-in response to Newry Council Irish language disappointing’ – O’Muiri

Sinn Fein councillor Barra O’Muiri has insisted that Unionists have ‘nothing to fear’ from the Irish language.

Sinn Fein’s Barra Ó Muirí

He was responding to the news that Unionist councillors have requested to ‘call-in’ for consideration a council decision on the use of Irish.

O’Muiri said the language belongs to Unionists as much as anyone else. “The announcement by the Unionist groupings on Newry, Mourne and Down Council of their intention to use the ‘call-in’ procedure has disappointed many.

“Time and again I have told my fellow councillors of the need for mutual understanding and respect when dealing with bilingualism, time and again they have refused to listen.

“The Irish language does not belong to any political party, it does not belong to any particular persuasion, and the assertion by the Unionist councillors that this in any way creates division is misleading and incorrect,” he insisted.

“Through concerted efforts, the Unionist councillors have attempted to halt progress, to stifle growth, to regress to the politics of sectarianism. We, in Sinn Féin continue to work towards a situation where all citizens of Newry, Mourne and Down will appreciate the Irish language.

He added, “Where is the leadership within Unionism in our district? Which councillor would support a constituent wishing to learn Irish?”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Feb 23 2015. Filed under Community, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry