DUP have committed unionists to growing exposure to an Irish language that is mainly used to promote republicanism

I dare say Ben Lowry”s Saturday editorial (see link below) will be met with a deafening silence from the DUP

We all know from ongoing experience that when presented with embarrassing facts, the party leadership either switches to mute or diverts to address another less damaging issue.

As Ben Lowry says, the DUP have committed the unionist community to living with increasing exposure to a language whose main use today is for promotion of the republican ideology of a united Ireland.

It offers no economic or commercial benefit, any recreational value being limited to a tiny minority.

I recall that several years ago a Dublin bank terminated the Irish language option on its ATM due to its minimal usage. Its dodo status quickly becomes obvious when those conversing in the language invariably have to revert to English — either because they don’t know the Irish or because the word does not exist in Irish.

I have noticed that RTE television news bulletins on Covid can operate with just one signer whilst, thanks to the DUP, we need two, with the associated additional cost.

The DUP really needs to demonstrate more respect for its supporters’ intelligence when it says it has not agreed to an Irish Language Act. When I hear that claim, I am reminded of the old adage “If it looks like a duck ... etc”

It is sad that the DUP doesn’t seem to pay any heed to the feelings of the unionist community as expressed virtually every day in the Opinion columns of this newspaper.

The party recently gave an assurance to republicans that they would not bring down Stormont, whatever the outcome on the Northern Ireland Protocol. That was no doubt music to Sinn Fein’s ears as they now have no reason to even pause their drive for more concessions.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson’s promise to press for Northern Ireland to follow new GB practice on the Union Flag seems a feeble attempt to cheer unionists. However, Sir Jeffrey must surely appreciate that it is a non-starter as every concession secured by republicans is irreversible for all time.

I dare say that in a month’s time, the flags idea will have long since evaporated.

Within even the past week we have had the Communities minister at odds with her officials over sports sustainability grants and the DAERA minister being unaware of his department’s recruitment of ports staff.

These are just two examples of stark dysfunctionality of the undemocratic lame duck we know as Stormont.

The inefficiency is both costly and a threat to our children’s future.

It is increasingly difficult to believe that the parties — not least the DUP — are more concerned about the future of Northern Ireland than about the security of their monthly cheque.

Cliff Cardwell, Castlerock, County Londonderry

• Ben Lowry: There should not be an Irish language act, but the DUP has agreed one

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