DUP leader says addition of Irish language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station ‘not a crisis’ but ‘bad process’

DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said that the addition of Irish language signage at Belfast Grand Central Station is not a “crisis” for the Executive but that it was “important to put a marker down” over what he described as a “bad process” surrounding the approval of the signs.

Last week, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced that bilingual signage would be added to the £340m transport hub, six months after it opened to the public.

The signs, which are expected to cost around £145,000, were welcomed by Irish language activists who described it as “a major step forward”.

However, some unionists opposed the minister’s move, questioning the use of public money and the process undertaken by Ms Kimmins.

Mr Robinson said that his party intended to “put a marker down” in the Executive over the issue on Thursday.

Mr Robinson criticised the minister for her decision to “squander £145,000 on something which is considered significant and controversial” and was made “outside of the legal parameters in which the Executive should operate”.

“That’s the marker we’ve put down,” he told the BBC.

“It should be a discussion at the Executive, as is the case with any issue which is considered to be controversial.”

“Our minister Gordon Lyons has written to Liz Kimmins, he has asked her to outline exactly how this decision was reached, what consultation was required, what engagement there was with Translink.”

• Mr Robinson said that it was “not to suggest that this is a crisis” or to “build it up” but added that it was “important” to “say this is how we do business”.

“Ultimately, this could be adjudicated by the courts and the minister could have been found to act unlawfully, but I’m not saying we’re there yet because there’s still more information that needs to be gleaned.”

The DUP leader added: “Irish doesn’t offend me. The inappropriate use of Irish offends me and the inappropriate use of public money should offend everybody in Northern Ireland.”

SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, said he though it was “appropriate” that Irish signs were added.

“It is correct that the Irish language should be on display front and centre in Grand Central Station,” he said.

“I’m not sure how the erection of a sign in a transport hub is a cross-cutting issue.”