DUP tells CEO to take Irish language concerns ‘seriously’ to end equality boycott

Unionist reps on Newry, Mourne and Down are protesting against an approval of Irish language signs.

A council CEO has been told to take Irish language concerns “seriously” to end a DUP boycott of an equality body.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) recently approved (June 2) joint Irish and English gateway signs for almost 90 communities in its authority area.

In protest, the DUP walked out of the chamber and stepped away from the equality and good relations committee after six years of discussions on bi-lingual signs resulting in non-agreement. It is further claimed a consultation document on Irish language was “dropped at the 11th hour”.

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At full council this week, Rowallane DUP rep, Callum Bowsie said: “At the last council meeting I had asked the chief executive to look into irregularities we had brought up on procedures not being followed as normally would be in relation to bi-lingual signs on Irish gateway signage.

“And your response was that you would get back to us, but we haven’t heard back from you.”

Following the DUP walk-out, unionists on NMDDC (5 DUP & 1 UUP) attempted to call-in the bi-lingual approval for review of the decision, but did not have the minimum (15%) percentage threshold required of seven elected members from a total of 41 on the council.

Cllr Bowsie added:”Granted that the call-in was unsuccessful because there was only six unionists that had concerns procedures were not being followed in the council, but there are outstanding concerns there, that we as a party want this council to look into.

“This is around how consultation was dropped from the report at the 11th hour, that still needs to be looked into regardless of whether our call-in was successful. And if you want us to rejoin the equality and good relations working group, you need to show you are taking those concerns we have seriously as to why we are out of that group.”

Council CEO, Marie Ward responded: “Apologies, I will pick up on this with the DUP after the meeting. I know you did raise matters at that time Cllr Bowsie regarding call-in procedures.

“Call-in procedures are set in legislation and not something that is set by council.

“In relation to the actual process and not the Irish language we have responded on a number of occasions. But, I can certainly re-address that with you.”

She added: “Just to advise on the matter of you re-joining the equality and good relations we have corresponded with your party in relation to options for consideration on that. So we do take that very seriously.

“I will ask for a report to be brought back through the strategy, policy and resources committee and if necessary it can follow into the audit committee.”

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