O’Dowd highlights continued commitment to Irish language in west Belfast

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has confirmed his Department’s commitment to the continued roll-out of Irish language in west Belfast.

Mr O’Dowd meets with Forbairt Feirste

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has confirmed his Department’s commitment to the continued roll-out of Irish language in west Belfast.

Mr O’Dowd has welcomed progress made in recent years and said the bi-lingual display of passenger information on Glider and Metro services by Translink, including the introduction of bilingual signage and audio announcements on the Glider between Millfield and McKinstry Road, was a positive step.

Speaking after a meeting with Forbairt Feirste on Wednesday to discuss Irish language in the Gaeltacht Quarter, he said: 

“I was pleased to meet with Forbairt Feirste to discuss my continued commitment to equality for Irish language speakers.

“I have asked officials to develop proposals for a project that would see the use of multi-lingual traffic signs piloted in the Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast, which is a thriving Irish language community.

“This will help inform the development of future policy for the use of multi-lingual traffic signs.

“Departments and public bodies have a role to play in supporting and promoting the use of the Irish language and Ulster Scots language and my Department will continue to do so."

Notes to editors: 

1. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk .
2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
3. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at DfILinkedIn

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