Conor Murphy Signals New Direction For Road Map To A United Ireland
Stormont HQ Minister, Conor Murphy, has announced the possibility of a range of bilingual traffic signs in either Irish or Ulster-Scots as a method of promoting minority languages on the Partitioned Island of Ireland.
Announcing the consultation period for the plans yesterday, Mr Murphy said:
"The policy is intended to facilitate the introduction of a number of certain bilingual traffic signs in Irish or Ulster-Scots for the specific purpose of promoting minority languages……….We have obligations under the European Charter for the protection of minority languages and the proposed policy will permit the inclusion of either Irish or Ulster-Scots, on town or village welcome signs, some supplementary plate signs for example a 'school' warning sign and certain tourist signs."
Are Bilingual Traffic Signs ‘Directionless’?
However, Conor Murphy’s proposals may be hit by ‘STOP AND SEARCH’ down the road if the level of criticism by the DUP, the Alliance Party and the Ulster Unionists is anything to go by. Michelle McIlveen (DUP) said:
"Given the range of problems on Connor Murphy's desk he should be focusing on more important matters rather than a pointless political exercise about bilingual signage……This is a Sinn Fein hobby horse and not a sensible proposal given the budgetary constraints faced by departments."
Ulster Unionist leader Tom Elliott also CHIPPED IN by saying:
"The cost of the consultation and provision of signs is outrageous, the money would be much better spent on repair of roads which are in an appalling state……… The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages does not place any responsibility on the department in respect of traffic signage and it should be recognised that this could be a politically sensitive issue and divisive."
However, the TUV leader, Jim Allister, was CUTTING NO CORNERS when he claimed that there was no compulsion for such proposals under the Charter on Minority Languages and that it was an attempt to erode:
"Northern Ireland's Britishness".
And talking of 'Britishness' maybe one of our readers could translate this road sign for future reference!!
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