Row over Irish language street signage in three 'unionist streets'

A REQUEST for Irish language street signage in two streets in North and South Belfast will not proceed to a residents survey after a row at Belfast City Council.

The matter was raised at the recent People and Communities Committee meeting after applications were raised for dual language street signs at Ballysillan Road and Sunningdale Park North in the north of the city and Ebor Street in the Village area

A Council report to committee members stated that a draft screening process had identified that the carrying out of a survey in itself in these areas “could cause community tension”, as could the erection of the street sign and therefore has the potential to “cause an adverse impact on the grounds of good relations”.

It added: “The request for dual language street signs (in the Irish language) for Ballysillan Road, Ebor Street and Sunningdale Avenue were assessed for equality of opportunity and good relations issues and the applications for the streets were presented to elected members through the notification process.

“On this occasion objections were raised stating that due to the fact that these are unionist communities the proposals may lead to a negative impact on community relations within these areas.

“It is acknowledged however, the process could alternatively assist in promoting cultural and linguistic diversity.

“The council retains residual discretion in relation to these applications. In effect this gives elected members the option to not proceed to survey and/ or halt the erection of an Irish language street sign in this street where, in the view of elected members taking into account the agreed criteria, that this action would be considered inappropriate.”

DUP and TUV councillors raised objections to council officers, and argued none of the three should go to survey.

DUP councillor Jordan Doran stated: “Ballysillan is an overwhelming unionist community, and I have strong concerns that the proposal to add an Irish street name to Ballysillan Road would have a strongly negative impact on community relations within the area.”

An objection was raised for Ebor Street by DUP councillor Tracy Kelly, who stated: “We must not forget that this is a strong unionist community, and this will not be welcomed at all. My fear is that it will greatly impact community relations and cause upset when it is not necessary.”

There is nothing overtly unionist or nationalist about it. I really don’t agree with putting it in the same bracket as the other two, and I am fairly confident Sunningdale Park North would succeed with a vote if it does go forward to consultation.

An objection was raised for Sunningdale Park North by TUV councillor Ron McDowell stating: “The area has been settled for a few years now after some tensions around parading and flags etc.

“The flags having been curtailed and the parade passing quietly and peacefully again for the first time in a few years. This is a predominantly unionist area and I do fear a tinderbox effect if these signs are to be erected where they are not wanted.”

DUP councillor Fred Cobain said of the Ballysillan area: “This is an area that is 70 or 75 percent unionist. When you read the assessment, even doing a survey in this area would raise community tension.

“I and a number of other councillors have been working hard in these areas with cross community work, and I think we have made some progress. There is not the slightest possibility of this community agreeing to dual language signs on the Ballysillan Road.

“Everybody was promised there would be no foisting on communities that didn’t want dual language signs.”

Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill said: “I appreciate where this is coming from for Ebor Street and Ballysillan Road. I know Sunningdale very well and I would never have characterised it as a unionist area – it is mixed, if you want to go down that road.

“There is nothing overtly unionist or nationalist about it. I really don’t agree with putting it in the same bracket as the other two, and I am fairly confident Sunningdale Park North would succeed with a vote if it does go forward to consultation.

“None of this has been brought forward by councillors, there have been brought forward by residents, who have suggested (the applications.)”

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said: “We are in a dangerous place when even asking people a question is something that risks community cohesion, and is something that could risk causing further trouble or problems.

“Nothing is being foisted on anybody. Nothing is being decided without people’s input being asked for. We are in a position where we are being told we can’t even ask people the question whether or not they are interested in having dual language signs.

“Given these are all resident requests, there must be some appetite somewhere. It may only be one person in one house but it demonstrates that there is the appetite for this question to be asked.”

Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill proposed proceeding with a survey for Sunningdale Park North but putting Ballysillan Road and Ebor Street to “the back of the queue”.

On a recorded vote the committee voted to go ahead with a survey for Sunningdale Park North in North Belfast, with 13 votes in support from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance, to five votes against from the DUP.

It was agreed Ballysillan Road and Ebor Street would not be surveyed on this occasion.