A public consultation has opened for people to give their feedback on Belfast City Council’s draft Irish language policy.

The draft policy sets out how the council plans to promote Irish and use Irish across its services, including interpreting and translation, key documents and publications, signage at facilities, on the council website and within the council’s corporate identity, including its logo.

It is the first draft policy to be brought forward as part of the council’s Language Strategy, which provides a framework for promoting, protecting and enhancing the city’s linguistic diversity and ensuring Belfast is a welcoming city for everyone. The other strands in the strategy are Ulster-Scots, sign language, including British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language, communicating with those with disabilities, and minority ethnic communities.

The proposals included in the draft Irish language policy were agreed by elected members in April 2024. Once the consultation closes, elected members will review the feedback received and agree the next steps in developing a final Irish language policy.

No final decisions have been made on any of the proposals within the draft Irish language policy. The consultation is seeking feedback on these proposals, and all feedback will be shared with elected members, so they can consider it further before finalising the policy.

The consultation is open for 14 weeks, closing at midnight on Thursday, November 28.

Both the draft policy and the consultation questions can be accessed via the Your Say Belfast platform at yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk

I asked six people from various backgrounds to share their thoughts on this new policy.

Molly McNutt, 25

Molly McNutt

Fluent Irish speaker with an MA in Irish History.

“Overall, I’m impressed by the policy’s commitment to ensuring Irish can be used, but I am curious to see how it pans out in terms of practically ensuring this. I’m also curious to see how the training will go on ‘cultural sensitivity’ and how that will look – and what are the consequences for refusing to do this training. We are looking at a draft policy that introduces the language in a much broader way to council life, I’d imagine to do so, there’s a sanitisation of the language, history and reality of regular use. It’s making Irish palatable, and changing perspectives of those who might not want it used in public.”

Charles, 63

Barman.

“I do feel too much money is being spent by local councils on many issues, including the Irish language and Ulster Scots. Money could be spent on better things. When I was growing up the Irish language was dead in the North. The desire to learn Irish spread in jail during the Troubles and was encouraged by the Republican movement. Using the Irish language as their identity was the new theme. This is why I resented the language. The Unionist people were united in their hatred for the Irish language, and this was pumped up by parties like the DUP. I now don’t care who or when someone speaks in Irish. I know a few Protestant friends who have learned the language. I have even considered learning it myself.”

Kathleen Hughes, 19

Kathleen Hughes

International student at Queen’s University Belfast, originally from Romania.

“Moving from Romania at 17 years of age, I believed the Irish language to be a small dialect from the past. However, to my surprise, a very different scene was shown. The application of dual language signs on streets can be useful to those who are learning two different cultures, such as myself, or those who want to expand their knowledge on the Irish Language. Learning through practical ways may suit some better than using traditional methods, such as textbooks.”

Matthew Shanks, 20

Matthew Shanks

Chair of Unionist Youth Network and community activist.

“The plan to adopt a bilingual (Irish/English) corporate identity, as indicated in Section 15, will impact employees of the council who wear uniforms that utilise its branding. Section 15 confirms that the English-only version of the logo will be available upon request. However, this immediately creates a situation whereby ‘markers’ will be placed on individuals who work for the council, as employees of a Unionist political persuasion and background. They would very likely feel uncomfortable wearing a uniform containing a language that they feel is exclusionary.”

Michelle McCrory, 55

Volunteer centre manager, from County Tyrone.

“Government agencies, like councils, should have a duty to support the cultural backgrounds of their communities, raise cultural awareness and promote diversity, upskill, and train their staff and make information available in alternative languages and formats, when this is requested. This would help to increase understanding, leading to greater tolerance and reducing conflict.”