Education minister declined meeting with Irish language group but heard loyalist complaints about a gaelscoil

An Irish language campaign group has hit out at Education Minister Paul Givan after declining a meeting with them and later meeting with a group linked to loyalist paramilitaries to hear their concerns over a new primary school in east Belfast.

The UVF and UDA linked Loyalist Communities Council met with Mr Givan on Tuesday.

In a statement, the LCC said during the meeting it had voiced its objections to an Irish language school in east Belfast, telling the minister it had “no meaningful support from the local unionist and loyalist population, and no consultation had taken place with local residents”.

Conradh na Gaeilge said they had requested a meeting with Mr Givan in February of this year after the return of Stormont, which they say was declined without explanation

“We wrote to him on February 5 and that was declined 10 days later. We wrote specifically because of his statutory duties but also strengthening the legislation there for Irish language education,” Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh from CnG told the Irish News.

“We had a very bespoke ask of him and bringing Irish medium education in line with the integrated education sector and we were incredibly disappointed to discuss all those issues was declined.

• “There was no other justification for that other than he was unable to meet. He obviously is doing community engagement given his recent meetings so we will be writing to him again to seek a new meeting.

“It’s incredibly disheartening to see any organisation advocating against Irish language education, against a school and for those who wish to attend it.”

Mr Ó Tiarnaigh said the decision to meet with the LCC after turning down the Irish language group was “outrageous”.

“It was very frustrating to see the minister prioritise a meeting with the LCC given their very clear and public paramilitary links.

“That that engagement, which was advocating against education through the medium of Irish, was prioritised over previous invitations to meet with people from that sector is just outrageous.

“It’s important now that the minister makes clear that he is going to uphold his duties to promote Irish education.”

The Department for Education has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for the department told the Belfast Telegraph Mr Givan had met with the LCC “to discuss a range of issues related to education underachievement in loyalist areas”.

Earlier this year Scoil na Seolta was granted planning permission for the temporary building on the Montgomery Road by Belfast City Council after 11 councillors voted for, and five voted against. Two objections were received by the council at the time, including one from a DUP MLA and party colleague of Mr Givan.

Since then a campaign has started from some in east Belfast who are opposed to the school, citing issues around designated employment land, a purported lack of demand and the closure of multiple schools in the area in recent years.

The opposition comes despite the fact Scoil na Seolta is an independent venture and is not eligible for public money.

It will only attain grant-aided status if it can meet certain criteria in future years including proving it can achieve healthy long-term enrolments.

It is not the first occasion in which the LCC has been consulted by senior DUP politicians about the Irish language. In 2018, party figures including former leader Arlene Foster briefed senior loyalists that a deal on the Irish language had been reached the weekend before the collapse of talks to restore power sharing at Stormont.