Debate contribution: Irish Language Strategy

Debate contribution by Mr Timothy Gaston on 18 March 2025.

MLA

Mr Timothy Gaston

Party at the time

Traditional Unionist Voice

Date

18 March 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Irish Language Strategy

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4860541

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I oppose the motion and the amendment. I will do so in the knowledge that my words and actions in the House today have the support of the unionist community not just in North Antrim but across Northern Ireland. I say that so confidently because of polling that was commissioned by Analogical Research, a not-for-profit initiative. I am grateful to Analogical Research for permission to share the findings with Members. The polling, which was conducted by LucidTalk, was carried out last month and sought to establish whether there was a chill factor among unionists and Protestants when Irish language signage is erected. Unlike much of the polling on the issue, the questions asked were simple and straightforward and were designed not to get answers that could be spun but to get to the truth. The poll had a representative sample of 1,050 people. The first question asked people what their reaction would be if the local council were to put Irish-language street signs on the road where they live. Respondents were asked whether that would make them more likely to move or less likely to move or make no difference. Some 71% of those who voted for a unionist party and 63% of those identifying as Protestant said that it would make them more likely to move. For TUV voters, the figure was 84%; for DUP voters, it was 71%; and, for UUP voters, it was 57%. The second question asked respondents whether, if a road had Irish-language street signs, that would make them more likely to move there or less likely to move there or make no difference. Some 88% of unionist voters and 82% of Protestants said that they were less likely to move there. The responses from different unionist party supporters were very similar. For DUP voters, it was 89%; for TUV voters, it was 86%; and, for Ulster Unionist voters, it was 84%. The third question related to council-run leisure centres. People were asked whether their leisure centre having Irish signage would make them more or less likely to use the facility or make no difference. Some 75% of unionists and 69% of Protestants said that Irish signage would make them less likely to use the leisure centre. The reality is that, while the Irish language is appreciated and celebrated by some, it has a significant chill factor for many others. Forcing it in areas, as has happened in Belfast and will, doubtless, happen more widely, now that the DUP has agreed to set the wheels in motion for the appointment of an Irish language commissioner, is regressive and will result in a more polarised society. People who do not regard Irish as part of their culture, such as me and the people whom I represent, have no difficulty with the language being cherished by those who appreciate it. Equally, resisting its aggressive promotion in places where it is not wanted does not make them bigots. The truth is that Irish can be and is used as a cultural weapon, which will result in a more divided and polarised society. Lots of people pushing it like to talk about equality, but the truth is that, when it comes to equality for the Irish language, it is the Gerry Adams version of equality that many aspire to. Apologies for the unparliamentary language, but it is important to quote Mr Adams accurately:

"The point is to actually break these bastards — that's the point. And what's going to break them is equality. That's what's going to break them — equality. Who could be afraid of equality? Who could be afraid of treating somebody the way you want to be treated? That's what we need to keep the focus on — that's the Trojan horse of the entire republican strategy".

The motion is a Trojan Horse. The amendment is wrong-headed, as it carries all the hallmarks of coming from those taken in by the Trojan Horse. The commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a strategy is wrong and should never have been made. The Irish language community has Sinn Féin to thank for it being a chill factor to unionism.

693 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Qualifying Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:10 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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