Council opens the door to Irish street signs

The policy, which was agreed upon in confidential business during Council’s monthly meeting in September, will see a dual language street sign erected if more than the two thirds of residents in the area are in favour of the proposal.

Taking to social media following the meeting, Sinn Fein councillor Brona Haughey said she was delighted the policy is now in place and praised her party colleagues efforts in regards to this matter.

“[I am] Delighted that an Irish Language Street Signage policy has finally been passed through Council with no objections,” said Cllr Haughey.

“Well done and comhghairdeas to the Sinn Fein team for working on this tirelessly over the last number of years.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service DUP group leader, Councillor Mark Baxter explained the policy was required by law and said that is the only thing that has been approved so far.

Councillor Baxter said: “Legally we have to have a policy in place to deal with dual language requests. The whole thing is simply a policy to deal with the application as they come forward and that is all we approved.

“Any application has to pass the policy. It is the policy that was judicially reviewed in Belfast and found to be robust and is the policy I believe eight of the eleven councils in Northern Ireland has in place.

“It  just sets out how we deal with the requests for a dual language street sign a request can be made for a street sign to be in any language the applicant chooses, provided it has the necessary support of residents.

“Under this policy a request needs the support of one third of residents on the street to be approved. Then, a survey is sent to every household and for the application to get past this stage, two thirds of all the surveys issued need to support the proposal and then the proposal comes to council for approval or refusal.

“It is a policy very similar to that in use in Belfast.”

Alliance Party group leader, Councillor Eoin Tennyson welcomed the introduction of what he described as a ” fair and robust” policy.

“I am delighted that ABC Council has finally adopted a fair and robust dual language street signage policy that allows bi-lingual signage to be erected where there is clear demand from residents.

“This is a significant step forward that reflects and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our borough, respects the rights of minority language speakers and goes some way to meet the provisions of the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages.

“It will also ensure our regional and minority languages, including Irish and Ulster Scots, are protected, promoted and visible in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon.”

Council was asked for a comment from the Lord Mayor, Councillor Kevin Savage, but at time of going to print, no comment  has been provided.

Brona Haughey: Sinn Fein councillor, Brona Haughey

Adam Morton , Local Democracy Reporting Service