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Poots 'unpersuaded' on Irish Act Poots 'unpersuaded' on Irish Act
(8 minutes later)
Culture Minister Edwin Poots has said he remains unpersuaded there is a compelling case for bringing forward Irish language legislation.Culture Minister Edwin Poots has said he remains unpersuaded there is a compelling case for bringing forward Irish language legislation.
He said this was despite the majority of respondents to the department's consultation favouring legislation.He said this was despite the majority of respondents to the department's consultation favouring legislation.
Mr Poots told the NI Assembly that "compelling costs" were among the reasons he was against the act.Mr Poots told the NI Assembly that "compelling costs" were among the reasons he was against the act.
Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff, chairman of culture, arts and leisure committee, said the move was "a mistake".Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff, chairman of culture, arts and leisure committee, said the move was "a mistake".
"He is missing an opportunity here, a major opportunity to prove that he is capable and willing of being minister for all of the people," he said."He is missing an opportunity here, a major opportunity to prove that he is capable and willing of being minister for all of the people," he said.
However, Mr Poots said there was a number of reasons for his decision. Costs
Mr Poots said the Northern Ireland Civil Service had already spent just over £20m delivering Irish language projects and translations in the past year.
He said this figure excluded the expenditure of local councils and the Northern Ireland Court Service.
"The enhancement and protection of the development of the Irish language is an important matter for Northern Ireland, as is the enhancement and protection of the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture," he said."The enhancement and protection of the development of the Irish language is an important matter for Northern Ireland, as is the enhancement and protection of the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture," he said.
"However, I remain unpersuaded that there is a compelling case for progressing legislation, at this time."However, I remain unpersuaded that there is a compelling case for progressing legislation, at this time.
"There is, in my view, insufficient community consensus; potentially significant costs; and a real possibility that legislation could undermine good relations and in so doing prove counter productive to those wishing to see the language developed in a non-politicised and inclusive manner.""There is, in my view, insufficient community consensus; potentially significant costs; and a real possibility that legislation could undermine good relations and in so doing prove counter productive to those wishing to see the language developed in a non-politicised and inclusive manner."
The Irish language act was promised to Sinn Fein by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at the St Andrew's talks in 2006.The Irish language act was promised to Sinn Fein by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at the St Andrew's talks in 2006.
However, the act is now the responsibility of the Executive, and requires cross-community consensus.However, the act is now the responsibility of the Executive, and requires cross-community consensus.