DUP leader rules out key Sinn Fein demand over devolution
DEMOCRATIC UNIONIST leader Arlene Foster has rubbished speculation about the shape of Irish language laws that might emerge from Stormont’s powersharing negotiations.
Mrs Foster said rumours about what legislation might look like were “not grounded in any sort of reality”.
In an interview with the Press Association yesterday, the DUP leader again insisted her party would not sign off on a standalone Irish Language Act – a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13-month impasse. She also ruled out any laws that would require bilingual road signs in Northern Ireland, compulsory teaching of Irish in schools or quotas of Irish language speakers within the civil service.
Stormont’s former first minister also moved to temper expectations that a deal to restore devolution is likely this week. “I am hopeful that we will move toward devolution again,” she said.
“Whether it is this week, whether it is in a couple of weeks or whether it’s in a couple of months what I must ensure is that we have an accommodation that everybody feels content with.” Mrs Foster also made clear that if devolution is restored she expects to be first minister of the new administration. Sinn Fein had previously ruled out her return to the post while an inquiry into a botched green scheme continued.
“I am the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party so therefore I will be the person that’s put forward by the party to be first minister,” she said.
Sinn Fein wants a standalone piece of legislation to protect speakers – an Irish Language Act – but the DUP has long insisted it would only countenance new laws if they also incorporate other cultures, such as Ulster Scots.
The Prime Minister and Taoiseach travelled to Stormont on Monday to encourage the region’s parties to finally end the deadlock that has left Northern Ireland without a functioning government since last January. Theresa May urged them to make “one final push” to strike a deal to salvage power-sharing.
Separately, Ukip’s former leader in Northern Ireland has said he would break the law to pull down an Irish language sign if one was erected on his street.
David McNarry, a one-time senior member of the Ulster Unionist Party, yesterday compared his potential unlawful activity to the suffragette movement. energy