Debate contribution: Sign Language Bill: Final Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Andy Allen MBE on .
- MLA
- Mr Andy Allen MBE
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 28 April 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Sign Language Bill: Final Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5510037
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I welcome the Sign Language Bill reaching its Final Stage this afternoon. As has been said, the Bill provides formal recognition for British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language and puts in place a framework to support their greater use and improve accessibility for the deaf community across Northern Ireland. As others have highlighted, it also places duties on the Department for Communities and prescribed organisations to take steps to ensure that information and services are accessible. Like other Members, I acknowledge the work of the Minister, his officials, my Committee colleagues and the Committee staff and wider Assembly teams for their role in supporting the scrutiny and overall progression of the Bill. In particular, I recognise the engagement of the deaf community. Their input and lived experience helped shape the Bill throughout its passage. As the Bill moves to Royal Assent, the focus must now be on implementation. That includes introducing the necessary regulations alongside guidance and action plans to support consistent delivery in practice. As I have said at previous stages, it is also essential that the Bill's measures are properly resourced and clearly understood so that they also deliver in practice. This is a positive and important step, and we fully support the Bill.
207 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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