Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“When the draft Irish language legislation was published I noted there was an assurance that, in spite of the lavish provisions for Irish it contained, it also promised that “nothing … affects the status of the English language.”
“This raises the obvious question of what Is the status of the English language in Northern Ireland that the legislation purports to leave unaffected? It is nowhere defined in legislation. Without statutory definition a proclamation of protecting its status is mere empty rhetoric – pleasing to the gullible, but meaningless all the same.
“I therefore asked the Executive Office, in a written question back in January, just what exactly is the status being protected and got this inane response: “Nothing in the draft Bill affects the status of the English Language”. I sought clarity on this meaningless answer by asking for the First and deputy First Ministers’ assessment of the status of the English language and where this is specified. Again I received a non-answer from Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill and upon requesting that they clarify what they meant I was referred back to the previous non-answer.
“It is abundantly clear that there is not agreement on what the status of the English language is and furthermore that the assurance in the draft Irish language legislation is meaningless as it it without legal force. The promise that “nothing … affects the status of the English language” has its feet planted firmly on thin air.
“This is yet another reason for Unionists to be rightly concerned about the potential of the legislation to fundamentally change the character of Northern Ireland. All Unionists should be united in their opposition to these proposals.”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s questions and the answers received are as follows:
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what is the status of the English language, as referred to in the draft Irish language legislation.
Answer:
Nothing in the draft Bill affects the status of the English Language.
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 975/17-22, (i) for their assessment of the status of the English language; and (ii) where is same specified.
Answer:
Clause 78F (3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Amendment No. 2) Bill states that the status of the English language is not affected by the provision made in the Bill.
Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQW 2758/17-22, to address and answer the specific question posed in both its parts.
Answer:
We would refer the Member to the answers previously provided.