Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“With the Executive parties having spectacularly bungled the pre-agreement negotiations, by failing to nail down the money issue, it would be absurd to squander still scarce resources on vanity projects like needless Irish language infrastructure and enhancement.
“Where is the money going to come from for all the extravagant provision that is planned, but by having less money for real needs in health and education.
“In these circumstances money intended for an Irish language Commissioner and one in the Ulster Scots field, along with their teams of staff etc would be far better spent on more nurses and doctors. But, no, for some the Irish language is more important.
“I am tabling Assembly Questions to try and ferret out the anticipated costs involved, but, again, I suspect commitments have been made without any costings. Such is the Stormont way.
“When the Stormont parties bulldoze on with this language nonsense and squander money needed elsewhere, then, let it not be said they were not called out on their folly.”