Northern Ireland Politician Accused of Undermining the Irish Language

During a debate on the Ulster Scots and Irish language, a Northern Ireland politician got accused of undermining the Irish language.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) member Gregory Campbell attended the Northern Ireland Assembly in Stormont on Monday. Also present during that time was Sinn Féin Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín. When Mr. Campbell was invited by Mitchel McLaughlin, the principal deputy speaker, he replied with “Curry my yoghurt can coca coalyer” instead of the Irish phrase “go raibh maith agat, Ceann Comhairle” that translates to “Thank you, Speaker” in English. This is the standard answer that is used by nationalist Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) when they are in the chamber.

Mocking the Irish language

Mr. Campbell’s response did not go unnoticed. It prompted Sinn Féin Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, who speaks fluent Irish, to accuse DUP MP Gregory Campbell of “pure ignorance.” Because of MP Campbell’s statement, the Culture Minister declined to answer his question about the strategies for minority languages. She said that the MP’s behavior was not in keeping with that of an assembly member and if they were to go by what the MP said, they did not actually need any language strategy.

The Culture Minister later tweeted that she made an official complaint with the Office of the Speaker about the insult of the Irish language by Mr. Campbell. Irish language spokesperson, Sinn Féin, legislative assembly member Rosie McCorley said that it was no longer a surprise because the DUP had been blocking any development on the Irish Language Act. She added that these representatives have been insulting the Irish-speaking community for so long. Sinn Féin had referred the matter to the Northern Ireland’s Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission, according to a report.

Attempt at humor

If MP Gregory Campbell was attempting to inject humor into the talks by uttering those words, the Irish language speakers did not find it humorous. They in fact, took it as an insult since they were working on promoting bilingualism among children. The MP is now also being accused of racism.

No apologies

For refusing to apologize for his remarks Mr. Campbell was barred from further addressing the Assembly on that day.

When interviewed by BBC Radio Ulster, Mr. Campbell said that he believed he had done nothing wrong and would not be apologizing for his controversial remarks. He said that he did that because he believed that Sinn Féin was using the Irish language for political reasons. Incidentally, the Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland had been the subject of a continued bitter debate between the DUP and Sinn Féin. Mr. Campbell was questioning why the Sinn Féin had to start in Irish for every topic and on every occasion.

In the following day’s assembly at Stormont it was noted that there was an increase in the use of the Irish language. Mr. Campbell was not present because he was at Westminster. After the MLAs have spoken in Irish, translations into English were immediately provided because that is one of the rules of the Assembly.

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