The change to Belfast’s street sign language policy will encourage a push to use Irish in places where there is little demand for it

A radical change to language sign policies in Belfast has been adopted by the council.

As we report on page 18 (in the print edition), it has become far easier to get a second language added to any street sign.

Formerly, a large majority of support for such a change was needed before it could go ahead. If a third of residents expressed an interest, it would be considered. If two thirds then approved, it went ahead. This was a reasonable approach. It meant that if there was strong local demand, such a change could be implemented.

Now the bar for such a change to signage has been lessened to a dramatic degree, supported by the nationalist parties but also supported by the Alliance Party. If only one resident wants such a change, or a councillor, it will then need only approval of 15% of the residents to happen.

It is being emphasised that this applies to languages other than Irish, but it would be naive not to think that hardline republicans will be delighted with the opportunity to push Irish across the city, including in areas where the overwhelming bulk of people do not want them.

There will be many, many areas where opposition to such signs is 80% or 85% but not high enough to block it.

Some councillors said yesterday that the council will not approve if there is such clear and strong opposition. But why then introduce a policy that encourages a push to increase contentious signage right across NI’s capital city?

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