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The Belfast City Council is set to convene later to deliberate on the potential adoption of a new language policy that could result in the increased use of Irish throughout the city. Sinn Féin is optimistic that should the policy be endorsed, a fresh bilingual English-Irish logo will be introduced on council vehicles, uniforms, and signage.
Conversely, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has strongly opposed the proposed policy, labeling it as “madness” and expressing apprehensions about the well-being of certain staff members. The DUP has emphasized concerns regarding the lack of full costing of the plans and has criticized them as being “divisive.” A definitive decision regarding the matter is anticipated to be reached during Wednesday evening’s council meeting, which includes 60 members.
The DUP has highlighted that numerous council staff have raised safety concerns, specifically in areas of the city where bilingual inscriptions on their uniforms could pose a risk. Councillor Sarah Bunting, representing the Balmoral district for the DUP, disclosed that frontline workers, notably those involved in waste collection and street cleaning, have expressed anxieties about the potential safety implications of displaying dual-language logos.
Tomás Ó Néill, a Sinn Féin councillor, emphasized the growing support for the Irish language in Belfast and underscored that the policy’s approval would not result in catastrophic consequences. Néill cited existing examples from other councils like Mid Ulster, Derry and Strabane, Fermanagh and Omagh, Newry, Mourne, and Down, suggesting that the move is a step towards reflecting the diverse population of the city accurately. He further outlined a carefully phased implementation approach, indicating that changes would be made gradually or upon the requirement for replacements due to the end of life or use. Additionally, he noted a council underspend and the allocation of £1.9 million to finance these alterations
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