DUP Communities Minister Paul Givan needs to end his party’s attitude of disrespect towards the Irish language and restore the Líofa gaeltacht bursary scheme, local Sinn Féin Councillor Barra Ó Muirí has said.
Confirming that his party has tabled a motion for discussion at next month’s full meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Ó Muirí explained, “When DUP Communities Minister Paul Givan announced the end of the Líofa gaeltacht bursaries scheme just before Christmas, my party colleague Barry McElduff wrote to him requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the issue.
He has now refused to meet him saying he is unable to meet at this time. While no doubt he is busy with the DUP’s internal wranglings at the moment he has a responsibility to address this matter. Refusing to engage on this is yet another example of the DUP’s total lack of respect for the Irish language and those who speak it, coming on the back of their continuing opposition to an Acht na Gaeilge.
“This is an issue that has caused huge concern in the Irish language community and the minister cannot ignore it and hope that it goes away. The Irish language belongs to everyone, threatens no-one and must be respected. The minister should reverse his decision and restore the Liofa bursaries immediately,” he added.