Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“The aggressive plans of the Culture Minister to introduce Irish into every conceivable facet of public life must be steadfastly resisted by all Unionists.
“TUV will make a detailed rebuttal of the Minister’s proposals when we have opportunity to study the document but it is obvious from the outset that these ideas are merely another stage in Sinn Fein’s plan to erode the Britishness of Northern Ireland.
“Irish road signs, the use of Irish by public bodies, the creation of an Irish language commissioner and the translation of all Assembly business into Irish is not just designed to antagonize Unionists but will impose an incredible burden on the public purse at a time when finances are already under pressure.
“The proposal that Irish should be used in courts has also serious implications for our legal system…
“Doubtless there will be Unionists who will trumpet the fact that these proposals will be vetoed in the Assembly. That probably will be the case. However, the electorate should remember that at any point Sinn Fein can bring Stormont to the brink just as they did at Christmas. Then the pressure will be on Unionists again and the issue of an Irish language Act will be forced back onto the agenda. Remember too that it only became an issue following the St Andrews Agreement.
“Those who listen to the DUP loudly proclaim that they will never agree to such legislation should recall that not that terribly long ago they said the same about going into partnership with Sinn Fein/IRA at Stormont.”