Brits In
So Edwin Poots, as predicted, has brought the proposed Irish language act to a shuddering halt. That's despite 65% of those who responded to his department's consultation telling the minister they wanted the legislation. Mr Poots claims passing the law could have incurred the Northern Ireland Civil Service costs of £291 million over the next ten years, a cost he won't contemplate.
Gerry Adams reckons this figure is spurious and the move breaks commitments the DUP made in the St. Andrews' Agreement - something the DUP rejects. The Sinn Fein President also asked the minister to accept that the act would be passed one way or another.
This is a reference to Sinn Fein's view that if the Assembly won't pass the act, then Westminster must do so. This line of argument prompted some taunts from the unionist benches that Sinn Fein has switched from "Brits Out" to "Brits In".
So can Westminster pick up the baton, given that cultural matters have already been devolved? Informed sources say it's constitutionally possible, but would be highly unusual. Westminster has legislated on some devolved matters in Scotland using what are known as Sewel motions.
However the Assembly would, as I understand it, have to consent to the use of a Sewel motion. Given the mood amongst unionists there is no way that is going to happen.
So when Gerry Adams goes off to meet Shaun Woodward will he be pursuing a lost cause? Maybe, but of course there are some matters which are not yet devolved, for example, telecommunications and criminal justice, both of which can involve language issues.
So could we see the Secretary of State consulting on a Justice (Irish Language) Bill? Well I suppose it depends how long the DUP takes to agree to the transfer of policing and justice powers...
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A nationalist language for a nationalist people. Whats that? Sure Unionists spoke it and encouraged it in the 19th Century!! Of course thats before the Gaelic League, Devils Eire, the GAA and PIRA sorry Sinn Fein (with the help of men who Sinn Fein allowed to die in prison for electoral gains) got their political and "revolutionary" mitts on it, and stained the language in blood. "Every spoken word of Irish(sic) is another bullet in the gun for the struggle" or words to that effect. Until the language is de-politised Unionists will never support it. The language, just the way nationalists like it, is a political loaded gun. Just look at the trouble ULTACH has had in trying to help the nationalist community accept that its not just their language!! Until such times that the language can be enjoyed without all the Irish nationalist political baggage then the language is doomed to be forever a political tool to brow beat other traditions in Northern Ireland specifically Unionism and Loyalism and to make NI greener on the ground even though its pink on the political map. We'll just stick with the language everyone can speak and understand, Northern Irelands native tongue, English.
Well done Edwin Poots. I want Dr's, classroom assisstants, and decent water services - not millions wasted on a language that has been used as an election tool by SF MLA's who stutter there way through their comments in English never mind their Irish preambles.
Passing the Act in Westminster is the logical, and just, next step in the campaign for Irish language legislation.
The bias and shortsightedness of certain politicians in the NI Assembly should not hinder the promotion of Ulster's oldest tongue nor limit the opportunities of Irish speakers to use it.
Broadcasting and media should be included in the Acht and therefore the decision would have to be made in London.
If nothing else, Edwin Poots decision represents a defeat for those whose preferred form of political expression is via the medium of graffiti.
I would like this to be extended so that any political campaign supported by graffiti is automatically ignored.
Only those methods that facilitate discussion should be allowed, and I have never seen or heard of anybody having an informed political debate with a wall.
While I wont say anything on the issue of an Irish Act the reference to the Sewel Convention is very interesting. I'd never heard of it before and, while it would require the agreement of any devolved institution for Westminster to act, it could be seen as quite a powerful tool. Very informative piece Mark!