Irish language move a challenge to unionists

IT is sad that many Unionists see Irish language legislation for the North solely as a Sinn Féin project.

In fact, the proposed act is backed also by the SDLP and Maurice Hayes, a former head of the civil service in the North.

As Eoghan Harris has said, it is important to give the unionists space for thought on this issue.

However, my main gripe with the act proposed by the Northern umbrella group Pobal is that it did not go far enough.

Currently in the Republic — outside of Dublin and some other areas — many residential developments are being named in Irish.

I do not expect any in north Antrim or other areas of the North, but if property developers and local councils want to name residential developments in Irish, they should be allowed to do so.

As the proposed act is not as far-reaching as it could have been, unionists will be seen to be out of touch on this issue if they do not budge.

Darren Mac an Phríora

Corrán Chaisleán Cnucha

Caisleán Cnucha

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