Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“This afternoon MLAs received a letter from the Sinn Fein chair of the Committee on Procedures advising them that the committee had tabled a motion which would see the ridiculous spectacle of MLAs being issued with headsets in order to receive simultaneous translations of speeches delivered in Irish – this in a chamber where every member adequately speaks English.
“While this concession was foolishly made during the New Decade New Approach Agreement every single Unionist on the committee voted against the motion being tabled. It was forced through by Nationalists and People Before Profit.
“The motion would result in interpreters being hired who speak Irish and Ulster Scots. However, the farcical nature of all this is highlighted in an annex to the letter which notes:
“Ulster Scots is not currently spoken by any Members at the Assembly …. However, the Committee recognises that the relevant provisions envisaged by NDNA apply equally to Irish and Ulster Scots and is therefore satisfied that the arrangements to be provided need to be in respect of both languages.”
“It goes on to say:
“The Committee was advised by officials of some difficulties that had been experienced a number of years ago in respect of the availability of suitably skilled people to provide interpretation, particularly in respect of Ulster Scots, for which there is no standard language register and for which quality assuring a selection process and interpreting output would be difficult.”
“The idea that this can be made acceptable by some sort of nod towards Ulster Scots is exposed as a farce in the very letter issued today to MLAs.
“Stormont does not need to be spending £344,000 per annum on needless translation services. We do not need to squander – at a minimum – £43,000 on the infrastructure costs of installing this system in the chamber.
“Unionism needs to be clear on this matter. This motion is being brought before the Assembly without the consent of a single Unionist on the committee with DUP and UUP members voting against it. I am today calling on all Unionists to make it clear that they will block these proposals by way of a Petition of Concern.
“It is clear that Sinn Fein and the SDLP are determined to use the chaos within the lead Unionist party to their advantage. They need to be sent a clear message that they will not be permitted to do so.”