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9ú Eanáir 2007

Campaigning lord demands we mind our language

If Lord Laird of Artigarvan had his way, the official name of the gardai would be changed to An Garda Siochana/Hannin Polis.

But thats just for starters. Our illustrious house of parliament would be hitherto known as the Dail/Tinsel.

In fact, the Ulster Unionist peer, formerly John Laird, claims that the Belfast Agreement is being breached by the failure of the Irish Government to acknowledge the 'parity of esteem and total equality' of the language of Ulster Scots with Irish identity.

Nor would he stop there. The man who is strongly considering contesting a seat in Dail Eireann in the next election, would like to see every road sign and place name from Cork to Donegal being given in Ulster Scots as well as Irish and English. 'That is what people signed up to when they voted for the Belfast agreement. It states clearly that Ulster Scots should '" he said.

'There are 25,000 people who are living in the Irish Republic who consider themselves to be Ulster Scots and they are being ignored,' he said.

Although not committing to a constituency, he has expressed an interest in Co Donegal, the home of his ancestors.

The controversial unionist claimed that the constituency of Donegal North East had a Protestant TD until he was 'gerrymandered' out of his seat by the redrawing of the boundaries. Similarly, a Protestant councillor lost his seat on Donegal County Council when the boundaries were changed, he said.

'Narrow nationalism is gone. We live in the modern 21st century world. If we are going to live together we must live as equals and I am testing the system,' he said.

He was furious with the cutting of the budget for the Ulster Scots Agency which is based in Belfast and Raphoe, County Donegal and now wants to see equal funding being given to the Irish language and Ulster Scots.

A study carried out in 1999 found that 2pc Northern Ireland residents claimed to speak Ulster Scots.

www.unison.ie

 

Irish Independent - Lthch:

Anita Guidera

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