Member's statement: Minister for Communities: Irish Language Strategy
Member's statement by Mr Colm Gildernew on .
- MLA
- Mr Colm Gildernew
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 19 May 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- Minister for Communities: Irish Language Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5549155
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Gordon Lyons has failed to bring forward an Irish language strategy. The DUP is attempting to gaslight people, but the evidence of its hostility and disrespect is clear for everyone to see, including right now. The DUP Minister for Communities is responsible for bringing forward an Irish language strategy, but he has offered nothing but excuses. Instead, we have from the DUP the crocodile comments, opposition to Acht na Gaeilge
, its disgraceful Líofa moment and the blocking of additional funding through the North/South bodies. Gordon Lyons has opposed the Irish language at every turn and squandered public funds in becoming embroiled in multiple court cases. He has failed to protect the Place-Name Project. Why did he order the removal of trilingual branding from his Department? It was because the DUP Minister, under the direction of the deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, is all about delaying, frustrating, blocking and deflecting. The DUP's actions speak louder than its words, and it is on the wrong side again. Sinn Féin is clear: no further DUP delay. The Minister for Communities should bring forward an Irish language strategy now.
186 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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