Sinn Féin’s Paul Butler has welcomed Minister Conor Murphy’s promotion of the Irish language throughout his department by implementing the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages.  

The Lagan Valley MLA said that is  clear recognition of the rights of Irish language speakers in the North of Ireland. 

“All Executive Ministers should look to the example set by Conor Murphy and implement the European Charter on Regional or Minority Langauges and give proper recognition to the Irish language,” said Mr Butler.

“The importance of the Irish language in the North of Ireland is reflected in international human rights legislation, the Good Friday Agreement and in the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

“There has been a long history of hostility to Irish speakers and the Irish language in the North. 

“Despite the adoption of the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages by the British Government some Ministers are still not  implementing its provisions for Irish speakers,” added Cllr Butler.  

“Rather than viewing the language as something to be cherished and promoted,  some Ministers seems to regard all things Irish as alien and to be discouraged and avoided,” he added.