Debate contribution: Irish Language Strategy
Debate contribution by Mr Doug Beattie MC on .
- MLA
- Mr Doug Beattie MC
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 18 March 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Irish Language Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4860770
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. The Ulster Unionist Party believes that the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages and cultures should be respected, promoted, funded and cherished. They are as much ours as they are anyone else's. I remember attending a Turas awards event with Linda Ervine a while back and handing out awards to people who had achieved various levels in speaking the Irish language. It was a genuinely warm event that felt inclusive. The people receiving awards, who were not put off by my poor attempts at speaking Irish, really looked happy with their achievements. The amendment is about adding an Ulster-Scots element to the motion. I hope that the Assembly will support it. It acknowledges, celebrates and advances the historical, cultural and social importance of Ulster Scots in Northern Ireland alongside Irish. When I visited an Ulster-Scots Agency outreach programme near Londonderry, I heard about the rich cultural heritage, including music, poetry and film. 'Stories Frae the Loanen' is a series of six short educational films for kids to learn the language. Forged in Ulster's series of films is as varied as it is informative. Ulster Scots are key to what happens globally. Forged in Ulster's series shows how Ulster Scots shaped the most powerful country in the world: the United States of America. No fewer than 20 US presidents have Ulster-Scots heritage. It was an Ulster Scot, John Dunlap, from Strabane, who printed the first US Declaration of Independence. Another Ulster Scot — Charles Thomson from Maghera — helped to design the US Great Seal. We cannot forget the elite US 75th Ranger Regiment, which was formed from Rogers's Rangers, the leader being Robert Rogers, the son of Ulster-Scots settlers. His standing orders are still used by that regiment. Ulster Scots has a major influence on country, folk and bluegrass music. It is music that tells a story with the use of highland and lowland pipes, fiddles and drums. Rhythmic poetry defines Ulster Scots, with poets such as Samuel Thomson, Francis Boyle, Sarah Leech and James Orr, a Presbyterian from County Antrim and one of the United Irishmen involved in the 1798 rising. He wrote in a similar vein to Robbie Burns about rural life and did so in vivid terms. It is intriguing that we have so much crossover in culture and language in Northern Ireland and across the whole island of Ireland. One of the reasons why I believe the amendment to be appropriate and necessary is that it puts into context the diverse cultural melting pot that we all belong to in part or in whole. It is a living expression of who we are, where we have come from and how we understand ourselves and one another. In recent years, we have seen a remarkable resurgence of interest in Irish and Ulster Scots, particularly among young people. As we commend the Irish language sector, which we should, it is important that we equally commend the Ulster-Scots Agency for its tireless work in promoting and developing the use of Ulster Scots. Its hard work has ensured that Ulster Scots continues to thrive as an important part of Northern Ireland's shared cultural heritage. The Ulster-Scots sector is not as developed as the Irish language sector, but, with support and recognition, we can help those who work hard to develop it. An Irish language strategy is important, as is an Ulster-Scots strategy. They do not need to be mutually exclusive. Neither one should feel that the other is taking away from it; instead, they should feel complementary in what they are trying to achieve. I hope that all Members will support the amendment.
605 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.11 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.98).
- Subject area: Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.27 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.53 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.03 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.07 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.38 | No |
| Overall judgement | 0.11 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.98 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.02 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 1.00 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Sport (including the GAA), the arts and cultural bodies | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:11 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.