Second Derry plebiscite on Irish language signage for Creggan Heights branded 'absurd' by DUP Alderman

At February’s Environment and Regeneration Committee meeting members were informed that five Derry streets were recently subject to plebiscite and had met council’s 15 percent Dual Language and Street Naming Policy’s consent threshold.

However, Creggan Heights failed to meet the threshold and Independent councillor Gary Donnelly had requested that Council officers carry out an investigation, as he had spoken with several residents who were unaware of the plebiscite.

At February’s Full Council Meeting council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, Karen Phillips, confirmed that officers had investigated the plebiscite and normal processes were followed.

“Surveys were sent to 141 properties in Creggan Height on October 10 with a return date of November 10,” she clarified. “The postal service was also contacted.

“We received 25 surveys back from across the whole street, and the information collated suggests that the process was followed correctly and the level of return didn’t meet the threshold, and in accordance with our policy this would mean it would be three years before we can reconsider this matter.”

Councillor Donnelly noted that members had discussed late postal delivery across the entire district “for months and months”, while SDLP councillor John Boyle speculated that response levels may have been affected by renovation works.

He proposed that council accept the recommendation for the successful streets, but reissue the plebiscite at Creggan Heights due to “extensive renovations works” on the street.

UUP alderman Derek Hussey said members “might as well be blaming it on climate change”, while DUP alderman and Deputy Mayor, Niree McMorris, argued that as late post was an issue for the entire district it shouldn’t lead to a second plebiscite.

“It’s an issue that Royal Mail have but it didn’t deflect other decisions made,” she added. “So I don’t know why we can pay particular homage to refusing this.

“The reality is out of 25 responses they didn’t meet the 15 percent threshold, so why do we keep revisiting decisions that have already been through the process so the outcome can be changed?

“The responses were received, it didn’t meet the threshold, end of.

“This regurgitating of decisions until we get the right decision that people want, I just think it’s absurd.”

Councillor Boyle’s proposal was approved, with UUP and DUP representatives voting against and all other members voting in favour.