Foster to meet Pobal Irish language group

Arlene Foster will be meeting with Irish language groups 'in the near future' the party has said, confirming a report that Pobal in west Belfast is one of those lined up to host a meeting.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Apr 2017, 18:53 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:56 BST
DUP leader, Arlene Foster, at the funeral of Martin McGuinness. (Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press)DUP leader, Arlene Foster, at the funeral of Martin McGuinness. (Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press)
DUP leader, Arlene Foster, at the funeral of Martin McGuinness. (Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press)

Earlier this year, the DUP leader angered many nationalists when she said she would “never accede” to an Irish language act.

Sinn Fein blamed Mrs Foster’s hostility to Irish as one of the reasons for the republican party pulling out of the Stormont executive.

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Yesterday, a DUP spokeswoman said, “Arlene Foster has been arranging meetings with Irish Language groups and hopes to have engagement with them in the near future. The purpose will be to listen to the views of those who speak the language.”

Pobal, based on the Springfield Road, told the Irish News that its invite had been accepted.

Reacting to the appointment of Peter Weir as education minister in May 2016, Janet Muller of Pobal, said: “Although it is not a surprise, we are worried that someone sympathetic to the development of Irish medium education is not in charge of the Department of Education. Peter Weir is a member of the DUP whose party attacked spending on Irish medium education during the election.”

Related topics:Arlene FosterPeter WeirDUPBelfastSinn FeinDepartment of Education