Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Parades taking a step forward
Thousands of Orangemen on the march as Twelfth peaceful
ROAD TO PROGRESS Lodge passes St Patrick’s in Belfast yesterday
MILITANT cultural imperialists want Northern Ireland to become more Irish than the Republic, a senior Orangeman said yesterday.
Demands for an Irish Language Act – which have stymied political efforts to restore the Executive – are part of a republican campaign to rid the country of its British identity, deputy grand master Harold Henning said.
Addressing a Twelfth of July demonstration in Co Down, he added: “Sinn Fein want Northern Ireland to look and feel more Irish than the Republic of Ireland – and for our taxpayers to foot the bill.
“This militant cultural imperialism must be resisted by our elected representatives – whom we have just recently mandated
to represent our interests and those of the Union.” Talks at Stormont have failed to restore the Executive following disagreement over a range of issuest. Part of the stumbling block surrounds reciprocal rights for Ulster-scots speakers if an Irish Language Act was enacted. Mr Henning added: “Our politicians need to understand that we cannot support any development which would gift republicans an important victory in the cultural war.
“Let us ensure that what republicans failed to win with bomb and gun isn’t now lost through their Trojan horse of equality and rights.”
Sinn Fein has said its campaign is about honouring past political agreements and equality does not threaten anybody.
Mr Henning railed against the provision of Irish schools for small numbers of pupils and the erection of road signs using Irish.
He said legislation which enshrines the language in a legal framework will have massive implications for local government, the courts, the civil service, schools and everyday life.
He told the assembled brethren: “Language should threaten no one. However, when language is used as a cultural weapon by political republicanism it clearly becomes a threat to our identity and community.