Kimmins 'stands firm' over Grand Central Irish language signage

Liz Kimmins, the Infrastructure Minister in Northern Ireland, has recently made a significant decision to allocate £150,000 for the installation of Irish language signage at the Grand Central Station in Belfast. This decision has sparked a heated debate among various political parties, with differing opinions on whether it was appropriate and whether it should have been discussed more thoroughly before being approved. Kimmins has expressed that she firmly believes her decision is not controversial, stating, 'Others can have their opinion. but I'm keen to continue to push this, this is something that will have a legacy not just in Belfast. ' This indicates her strong commitment to promoting the Irish language and its visibility in public spaces. The First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has come to Kimmins' defense, asserting that the rationale behind the decision is sound and that the Irish language is a cultural asset that should be embraced by everyone. O'Neill emphasized, 'Irish is for everybody' and reassured that there is no reason for anyone to fear the Irish language. On the other hand, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has criticized Kimmins' handling of the situation, labeling it as 'utterly shambolic. ' She argues that the decision was controversial and should have required executive approval before being finalized. The DUP has consistently voiced their concerns regarding the lack of discussion surrounding this decision, questioning why it was not brought to the executive for a vote. Kimmins, in response to the criticism, stated that she does not view her decision as controversial and that discussions among her executive colleagues had already taken place. She mentioned that due to ongoing legal action challenging her decision, it would be 'irresponsible' for her to comment further. This legal action has led Translink, the public transport company, to pause the design work for the new signage until the matter is resolved. The DUP's criticism of Kimmins has been ongoing since the announcement of the funding, and they have called for more transparency in the decision-making process. Kimmins has reiterated her stance, emphasizing that her decision is in the best interest of promoting the Irish language and its cultural significance. The First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has also supported Kimmins, stating that the funding decision was explained during an executive meeting and that discussions will continue. O'Neill believes that the focus should remain on the budget and other pressing issues, saying, 'This was an issue that came up today under 'any other business' because we're very focused today on the budget and tariffs. ' The Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, expressed her disappointment regarding the manner in which the decision was made, stating that there are still many unanswered questions. She believes that significant decisions should be brought to the executive for consideration and agreement, urging Kimmins to follow the proper procedures in the future. Finance Minister John O'Dowd, who previously held the position of infrastructure minister when Grand Central Station opened, faced criticism for not including dual-language signage at that time. He defended his actions by stating that he was laying the groundwork for the decision that Kimmins has now made. O'Dowd emphasized the importance of focusing on the budget and addressing the needs of the public, announcing a substantial budget of £16 billion for public services. The ongoing tensions at Stormont, where the government meets, have become more pronounced with this disagreement over the Irish language signage. This is the first major conflict since the return of devolution 14 months ago, and it has led to a more contentious atmosphere among the political parties. While the weather outside may be warming up, the political climate within Stormont has become increasingly tense. The design work for the new signage has been put on hold due to the legal challenges, and the Northern Ireland Act stipulates that ministers must bring significant or controversial issues to the executive for approval. Unionist parties argue that the decision regarding the Irish language signage was indeed controversial and should have undergone a more thorough review process. They have also raised concerns about the use of public funds for the signage during a time of financial constraints. Sinn Féin, the party to which Kimmins belongs, has not publicly commented extensively on the issue. However, assembly member Declan Kearney has highlighted the thriving status of the Irish language in communities across the island, despite a history of discrimination. Kearney stated, 'Sinn Féin fully supports the rights of Gaeilgeoirí (Irish speakers) as we continue to build a society underpinned by inclusion, rights and respect for all. ' This reflects the party's commitment to promoting the Irish language and supporting its speakers. The dual-language signage was intended to be installed at the Grand Central Station, which opened last year. This is not the first instance of political disagreements over the Irish language at Stormont, but the DUP has insisted that this latest issue is not a crisis. Tensions have been escalating between the DUP and Sinn Féin over other matters related to funding for cross-border Irish language services, which are facing significant cuts. The DUP is being criticized for not allowing the issue to reach the executive for discussion, and the situation remains complex as the discussions surrounding the Irish language signage continue.