Closest matches to “Lockhart secures Equality Commission commitment on Ulster-Scots…”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include DUP · Back to the release
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O’Neill welcomes confirmation that Acht Gaeilge is to proceed
Sinn Féin First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill welcomes confirmation that the British government will table Irish Language Act legislation in Westminster, and calls for it to be done before the summer recess. She also welcomes £4 million funding for An Ciste Infheistíochta Gaeilge.
Disability and equality Issue: British government confirmation of Irish Language Act legislation tabling Original release: O’Neill welcomes confirmation that Acht Gaeilge is to proceed (opens in a new tab)
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Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney welcomes the Irish Government’s €630,000 allocation to Foras na Gaeilge, saying it eases pressure and will boost language promotion, and urges a fair, sustainable funding model while condemning the DUP’s blockage of further Irish‑government support.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: €630,000 funding for Foras na Gaeilge Original release: Kearney welcomes additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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Maskey welcomes funding for development of Irish language
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the Irish government's commitment of over €800,000 to support two Irish-speaking GAA clubs, Laochra Loch Lao and Na Gaeil Óga, to employ full-time development officers. He says the funding will support Irish classes, youth projects and community events.
Disability and equality Original release: Maskey welcomes funding for development of Irish language (opens in a new tab)
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£330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish
TUV leader Jim Allister criticises a £330,000 translation and interpretation service for Irish use in the Assembly, noting only 10 MLAs want to use it, and warns of further costs from Irish language legislation and an Irish Language Commissioner.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Assembly Irish language translation and interpretation service costs Original release: £330,000 budget to pander to 10 English-speaking MLAs who might occasionally wish to speak in Irish (opens in a new tab)
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Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly welcomes over £4 million of Irish government investment in Irish language projects in the north, part of a £5 million Shared Island Initiative package for cultural and community development.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish government Shared Island Irish language investment package Original release: Reilly welcomes investment in Irish language projects (opens in a new tab)
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Green Party Leader welcomes Irish government funding commitment
Green Party leader Mal O'Hara welcomes Irish government Shared Island funding, including £50m-equivalent backing for Casement Park redevelopment, a rail service between Belfast and Dublin, and the A5 North-West transport corridor.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish Government €50 million funding for Casement Park redevelopment Original release: Green Party Leader welcomes Irish government funding commitment (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the confirmation that Irish Language and Ulster Scots Commissioners will soon take up their posts, ending long uncertainty. He criticises the Executive for delays and asks the Executive Office to set out the experience of newly named appointees to the cultural body.
Disability and equality Issue: Pól Deeds appointed Irish Language Commissioner Original release: McGlone welcomes appointment of language commissioners (opens in a new tab)
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‘We must continue working to deliver on the rights of Gaeilgeoirí’ – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan says Belfast City Council's dual-language street sign policy protects minority languages and follows international best practice, after a DUP Assembly motion seeking its replacement was defeated. He cites new Conradh na Gaeilge figures showing broad public support.
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Conradh na Gaeilge survey on Belfast bilingual street signage Original release: ‘We must continue working to deliver on the rights of Gaeilgeoirí’ – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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New research shows no economic barriers to Irish Unity – Pearse Doherty TD
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD welcomes joint Ulster University and DCU research finding no economic barriers to Irish unity, arguing the so-called subvention was misunderstood. He calls on the government to prepare now for an all-Ireland economy and show leadership.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: Dublin City and Ulster University report on costs of a united Ireland Original release: New research shows no economic barriers to Irish Unity – Pearse Doherty TD (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Government Casement Park funding another positive step – Maskey
Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomes the Irish Government's commitment of €50 million towards redeveloping Casement Park in West Belfast. He calls on both Governments, the Executive, the GAA and the Football Associations to keep working together so the project is delivered quickly and on time.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Irish Government €50 million funding for Casement Park redevelopment Original release: Irish Government Casement Park funding another positive step – Maskey (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes a meeting between Education Minister Paul Givan and Gael Linn on funding for the Scoil Spreagtha Irish-language scheme, which is set to end in June 2025. He says no firm commitments were given, but the Minister will look again at funding options.
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Scoil Spreagtha funding meeting between Education Minister and Gael Linn Original release: McGlone welcomes Education Minister meeting with Gael Linn (opens in a new tab)
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Demand a fair deal on funding for Northern Ireland
TUV candidate Dan Boucher calls for a Holtham-based funding deal with an uplift for Northern Ireland, arguing it is underfunded below the UK definition of need while Wales receives funding above it. He urges voters to elect MPs with financial expertise ahead of the 4 July vote.
Public finance and taxation Original release: Demand a fair deal on funding for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation
SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone welcomes the passage of Irish language legislation through the House of Lords at Westminster, which also includes Ulster Scots protections. He calls for the Bill to pass the Commons without delay and says Irish language rights should have been introduced in the North rather…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language legislation passing through the House of Lords Original release: McGlone welcomes progress of Irish language legislation (opens in a new tab)
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Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly backs this week's Irish-language protests at Stormont and Leinster House over cuts of more than £800,000 to Foras na Gaeilge funding. She calls for fairness and equality, and says Aontú will keep using every platform to press for it.
Disability and equality Education Issue: Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts protests Original release: Leas-Cheannaire Aontú Gemma Uí Bhrollaigh ag Tacú leis na hAgóidí ag Éileamh Cothrom na Féinne don Ghaeilge (opens in a new tab)
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TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston writes to the Equality Commission challenging it to produce evidence that Irish language signage is a neutral act, citing LucidTalk and Analogical Research polling on unionist reaction. He asks the Commission to reassess its position, consider a 'chill factor' effect on…
Disability and equality Issue: Irish language signage at Grand Central Station announcement Original release: TUV challenges the Equality Commission on its attitude to Irish language in light of polling evidence (opens in a new tab)
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‘Irish language organisations deserve fair funding’ – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy calls for fair and sustainable funding for Irish language organisations, joining activists protesting at Stormont. He says grassroots groups have led the language's revival and that the north-south implementation bodies deserve proper funding.
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language sector funding protest at Stormont Original release: ‘Irish language organisations deserve fair funding’ – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes £100,000 in funding to keep the Scoil Spreagtha Irish language lessons scheme running for another year, followed by an evaluation, and says he will keep pressing for future funding.
Education Disability and equality Issue: Scoil Spreagtha scheme £100,000 funding confirmation Original release: McGlone welcomes £100k funding to save Scoil Spreagtha scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew
Sinn Féin Communities Committee chair Colm Gildernew urges the DUP Communities Minister to back Irish language promotion rather than obstruct it, after a High Court judge dismissed a legal bid against Belfast City Council's Irish language policy. He says the council can now proceed and calls for…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: High Court dismissal of challenge to Belfast City Council Irish language policy Original release: Caithfear comhionannas don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm; níor chóir bac a chur leis – Gildernew (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone backs striking Irish language groups
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA offers his party's support to Irish language and Gaeltacht groups taking half-day strike action over cuts to Foras na Gaeilge. He urges the Irish Government and Executive to fund the body with a long-term plan and welcomes UK plans to repeal the…
Disability and equality Public finance and taxation Issue: Irish language organisations strike over Foras na Gaeilge funding cuts Original release: McGlone backs striking Irish language groups (opens in a new tab)
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Money to tackle educational underachievement will help most disadvantaged – Sheehan
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan welcomes the Irish Government's funding of €24m to address educational underachievement across the north, saying it will support the most disadvantaged children and young people. He urges the incoming education minister to make the issue a top priority.
Education Issue: Irish Government €24m funding for educational underachievement in the north Original release: Money to tackle educational underachievement will help most disadvantaged – Sheehan (opens in a new tab)
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McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner
SDLP Irish Language Spokesperson Patsy McGlone MLA welcomes the start of recruitment for language commissioners but says the move is long overdue. He questions the timing of the announcement and says he has asked the First and deputy First Ministers for a timescale and budget.
Disability and equality Issue: Recruitment launch for language commissioners announced March 2025 Original release: McGlone welcomes overdue progress on Irish Language Commissioner (opens in a new tab)
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The Irish language is seen in every part of life and grows stronger each day – Reilly
Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly says the Irish language is growing stronger and urges people to attend Seachtain na Gaeilge events. She welcomes progress by The Executive Office on the Identity and Language Act, including preparations to establish an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and…
Disability and equality Original release: The Irish language is seen in every part of life and grows stronger each day – Reilly (opens in a new tab)
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Kyle Questions Irish Language Research Announcement Made During Assembly Recess
TUV figure Allister Kyle, identified as party chairman and East Londonderry candidate, questions the Economy Minister's decision to announce Irish language economic research during the Assembly recess. He asks about the cost, why Queen's University Belfast was chosen, and whether the Executive…
Economy and employment Public finance and taxation Issue: Economy Minister's Irish language economic potential research announcement Original release: Kyle Questions Irish Language Research Announcement Made During Assembly Recess (opens in a new tab)
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Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill welcomes legislation passing to give official recognition to the Irish language, saying it secures Irish speakers' rights to public services and court use. She credits grassroots activists and points to a planned Irish language commissioner with statutory powers.
Disability and equality Issue: Irish Language Act legislation passes Original release: Historic day as legislation passes to give official recognition to the Irish language – O’Neill (opens in a new tab)
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Budget talks: A possible pathway but reform must come with the money
UUP Finance Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA welcomes the Secretary of State's openness to talks on the Executive's budget, but says any extra funding must be paired with reform and accountability, citing weak procurement and capital delivery.
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Budget settlement talks with the Secretary of State Original release: Budget talks: A possible pathway but reform must come with the money (opens in a new tab)
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Presentations from Foras na Gaeilge and Turas show huge interest in Irish language across Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin's Senator Conor Murphy says Oireachtas committee presentations by Foras na Gaeilge and Turas show growing interest in Irish, but claims statutory funding is failing the sector and Good Friday Agreement commitments on language have not been honoured. He also calls on the Irish Government…
Disability and equality Education Issue: Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee Irish language presentations from Foras na Gaeilge and Turas Original release: Presentations from Foras na Gaeilge and Turas show huge interest in Irish language across Ireland – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)
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Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy
Sinn Féin Seanad leader Conor Murphy calls on the Taoiseach to commit the additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to the Shared Island Initiative to establishing a Citizens' Assembly on Irish unity and planning for constitutional change.
Constitutional affairs Public finance and taxation Issue: Additional €0.99 billion NDP allocation to Shared Island Initiative Original release: Taoiseach needs to spend additional Shared Island NDP funding on planning for constitutional change – Senator Conor Murphy (opens in a new tab)