Commenting on the ongoing controversy over Sinn Féin’s imposition of Irish signage on Grand Central Station, TUV leader Jim Allister has attacked the Infrastructure minister’s stance and deplored how the DUP has weakened the position going forward on signage on public buildings by agreeing to an Irish Language Commissioner.
“Among the many flaws in Minister Kimmins’ argument are the following:-
- She relies on Translink-made decisions to have bi-lingual signage at Newry and on some glider services as justifying her imposition at Grand Central. Herein she shoots herself in the foot, because it is for Translink, not the minister, to make such operational decisions, as is evident from the Partnership Agreement governing the DFI/Translink relationship.
- Whereas the Communities minister may have statutory responsibilities in respect of language, she has none. Hence her meddling inevitably makes it a cross-cutting issue.
- It is not the quantum of the spend upon which the significance of the decision turns, rather its societal impact, which is evident from the controversy generated.
- In contending that her remit involves “overseeing the delivery of public transport services”, she effectively concedes her overreach, because determining the signage on a station is clearly neither overseeing the delivery of public transport nor compatible with the arrangements affording such functions to the arms length body. Translink isn’t being allowed to operate as an arms length body if the minister is involving herself in the minutia of operational decisions.
“It is therefore right and necessary that Sinn Fein and its greening agenda should be challenged in the courts on this important issue and I commend Mr Bryson on his initiative in this regard. DUP ministers will need to do a lot more than seek clarification from their partner in government.
“Sadly, the DUP has weakened its own hand by, at this very time, seeking to appoint an Irish Language Commissioner “to protect and enhance the development of the use of the Irish language by public authorities.” This is the reality against which the deputy First Minister’s public bluster must be measured!”