Republicans using language as war

I am told the Irish and English languages are recognised in the national constitution of southern Ireland with Irish being predominant and English secondary even though a vast majority speak English.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2018, 10:26 BST
Updated 15th Feb 2018, 10:33 BST
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Letters to Editor

It is also stated that Northern Ireland does not have a national language act; the English language is de facto because of our status within the UK.

Ulster Scots and Irish are regional languages. Based on this opinion it seems clear that if Sinn Fein acquire a standalone Irish language act they will be legally in line with southern Ireland’s constitution with predominance over other languages.

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If this is correct, unionist leaders probably did not think it necessary to make constitutional arrangements more secure for the English language assuming that our Ulster heritage was eternally safe.

In southern Ireland it is mandatory to qualify in Irish for many public jobs so if someone uses Irish they are entitled to a reply in that language.

What a disturbance would flow from this by the same leaders who promoted armed insurrection against a democratic state.

Have no doubt, the Irish republican war is still on using the language instrument.

David Barbour, Former Ulster Unionist Councillor, Coleraine

Related topics:Northern IrelandUlster ScotsSinn FeinColeraine