Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney says the DUP needs to adopt a new approach to the Irish language.
Mr McCartney made the call after the party selected North Belfast MLA Nelson McCausland to replace Gregory Campbell as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure as part of a reshuffle announced by party leader Peter Robinson.
The Foyle MLA said the p
revious two DUP ministers did not promote Irish.
“The track record of successive DUP Culture Ministers in relation to An Ghaeilge has, to date, been disgraceful. Their approach has been minimalist and often insulting.
“Edwin Poots and Gregory Campbell both failed in their obligations to bring forward a legislative basis for the promotion of the Irish Language based on respect, rights and entitlements,” he said.
Mr McCartney says the new Culture Minister has an opportunity to reach out to Irish speakers.
“We now need to see a willingness from the new Culture Minister to accept his responsibilities in relation to the Irish language,” he said. “I know it is a big ask but there is an opportunity for Minister McCausland to show that he has the ability to move beyond the narrow negative agenda of previous DUP Culture Ministers in relation to the Irish language, it’s speakers and their rights,” he added.
