14 May 2026
SDLP Opposition Communities Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said the Executive must act to ensure an Irish language strategy is introduced.
He was speaking after the High Court was told the Department for Communities had acknowledged a strategy would not be introduced by the end of the current Assembly mandate.
Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said:
“An Irish language strategy is many years overdue. It was committed to in New Decade, New Approach and that no progress has been made over two years on from Stormont's return is totally unacceptable.
“This raises further questions about the intent of the Communities Minister who seems to be using his office to wage his own culture war. Whether it’s Casement Park, placename translation services or now an Irish language strategy we have seen repeated obstruction.
“While the Minister and his department are ultimately responsible for ensuring this is introduced we have seen repeated instances where DUP Ministers are allowed to pursue their own agenda with little meaningful opposition from their Executive colleagues. The Executive must come together and ensure that every effort is made to deliver on this most basic of commitments.”
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA said:
“Irish language rights in the North have been hard won after many years of campaigning. It’s frankly insulting that every time a step a forward is made another obstacle is put in the way. It’s wrong that every right has to be fought for through the courts.
“The Irish language community are fed up with their basic rights being treated as a political football – no matter the views of any party around the Executive table, ultimately a strategy will be introduced and it’s time to get on with it and stop the petty games.”