Sinn Féin congratulated Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry in the Assembly yesterday for serving to promote the Irish language during a debate on his motion calling for the language not to be used by Northern Executive Ministers.
Mr McNarry, who was called "Daithí" by Sinn Féin, complained of ministerial use of Irish as "intimidating". He also strongly opposed the proposed Irish Language Act during a debate which was at times angry, sometimes humorous and on occasions bordering on the surreal.
"Unionists have been subjected to having the language forced down their throats in an uncompromising, adversarial way," said Mr McNarry, who spoke with considerable passion, and who also left the chamber on occasions when Sinn Féin speakers were on their feet, including junior Minister Gerry Kelly. He said Mr Kelly's use of Irish in a reply was "sickening".
The St Andrews Agreement of last October envisages an Irish Language Act. However, such is the controversy over the issue that there is speculation that the DUP Culture Minister Edwin Poots may not proceed with the legislation.
In such an eventuality, according to official sources, the issue could be removed from the responsibility of the Executive and referred back to Westminster direct rule ministers.
Mr McNarry and other unionist speakers made clear yesterday they would resist any attempt to push through the Act. The Strangford MLA complained that Sinn Féin Education Minister Caitríona Ruane responded to him on an issue in a letter, part of which he "assumed" was in Irish. This he found "intimidating" and "disrespectful".
DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said that the Irish language should be a demonstration of "cultural wealth" but that "Sinn Féin and others" were using it as a "cultural weapon".
Sinn Féin's Caral Ní Chuilin said that word of "Daithí McNarry's" motion, which triggered a demonstration yesterday outside Parliament Buildings, Stormont by Irish language activists, had prompted an interest in the language. "Go raibh maith agat, Daithí," said Ms Ní Chuilin.
SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said the motion wasn't sensible "in any language, whether Irish, English or Ulster Scots" because it could not be enforced.
Alliance MLA and mayor of North Down Stephen Farry opened his remarks by addressing the DUP speaker, William Hay thus, "Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Chomhairle".
What would his constituents in North Down, one of the leafiest of unionist constituencies, think of his choice of language, asked Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy.
Mr Farry replied: "As the mayor of North Down, that well-known hotbed of republicanism, can I actually point out that on the chain of office the word Bangor appears in Irish as Beannchor".
Mr McNarry's motion was defeated.
