Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The Finance Minister’s decision to use public money and resources to challenge the ban on the use of Irish in the courts is outrageous and illustrates that Sinn Fein have moved into a new aggressive phase.
“Having removed the Union Flag from his office a few days ago the Minister is now intent on using taxpayers money and government resources to challenge a law which has been on the statute book for the best part of three centuries.
“Let’s look at the practical ramifications of removing the 1737 Act. Obviously everyone will ask what expenditure the Northern Ireland Courts Service would have to undertake to accommodate the provision of Irish translation services.
“However, an even more profound issue is the fact that the administration of justice will actually be hindered by court hearings being multi-lingual. Often evidence is judged not just by what is said but how it is said. How much of that will be lost when a translator comes between a witness and those hearing their evidence?
“There are sound reasons for insisting that only English is used in our courts and removing that requirement will be a retrograde step in terms of the delivery of justice as well as the obvious cost implication.
“Unionists need a strong TUV presence in the new Assembly to confront Sinn Fein/IRA and hold the line against their aggressive attacks on our Britishness. Having rolled over yesterday on the Irish language the DUP have already shown that their position on this issue is seriously weakening”.