Statement by TUV Bannside Councillor Timothy Gaston:
“I am alarmed that – due to a question tabled by TUV in the Assembly – it has been confirmed that logo of the Education and Skills Authority will include Irish.
“Rumours that this was to be the case have concerned Unionists who work in the education field and I had been contacted in order to receive clarification.
“The Minister has now said that the “logo for the Education Authority is available in two versions: English only; and English with Irish and Ulster Scots translations. The Authority is mindful of accessibility issues and will make documents available in minority languages and other formats as appropriate and as reasonably practicable. This is consistent with the approach taken by my Department and I do not believe that there are any equality implications.”
“It is nonsense for the Minister to claim that the use of any other language other than English is needed because of “accessibility issues”. “It is simply a red herring to claim any other language than English is necessary and I believe that doing otherwise is both a waste of money and an attempt to brand ESA in a way which will make it unwelcoming for members of the Unionist and Protestant community.
“This is simply another example of the Republican Trojan Horse of equality being used to alienate the Unionist community”.