Irish Language Act: Major imbalance in powers of Ulster Scots and Irish Language Commissioners says TUV leader Jim Allister

There had been an expectation that Westminster would complete the legislation before May but Secretary of State Brandon Lewis said this week he did not think it right to do so during an election.

However TUV leader Jim Allister has now weighed into the debate - claiming that the proposed British/Ulster Scots commissioner would have much less powers than the proposed Irish Language Commissioner.

He says the draft bill shows that the British/Ulster Scots Commissioner will have powers and a remit which are “minimal” compared to the Irish Language Commissioner.

The functions of the British/Ulster Scots commissioner, he said, are merely to “enhance and develop the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition” - however he noted although there is no reference to Orange culture “or in indeed any type of culture” in relation to their remit.

“The means by which the [British/Ulster Scots] Commissioner is to exercise his function is to ‘produce and distribute publicity material’.”

 Unlike the Irish Language Commissioner, he said, the British/Ulster Scots Commissioner will have no official recognition and will not be empowered to place any performance standards on any public authority.

There will be “no duty on public authorities to enhance the provision of services in Ulster Scots; no obligation for public authorities to produce a plan of action; no five-yearly review. Indeed, while the Commissioner must increase awareness and visibility of Ulster Scots services ‘which are provided by public authorities to the public’, that relates to provision as is, with no compulsion to enhance. What a contrast with the Irish Language Commissioner!”

The News Letter put his claims to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), Sinn Fein, the DUP and Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh of Conradh na Gaeilge. None of the groups contacted challenged Mr Allister’s assertions about the disparity in powers between the two commissioners.

When asked if Mr Allister was correct, the NIO said it had no comment to make in relation to the question, and referred the News Letter back to earlier statements.

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