The Ulster Unionist Party have said that there is a "sense of unease" around the use of the Irish language due to a narrative that has been created around the idea that "every word of Irish spoken is like another bullet being fired in the struggle for Irish freedom."
The quote, which is commonly attributed to the leader of the 1916 Easter Rising Pádraig Pearse, was one of a number of concerns raised by the party in relation to the fall-out of the decision from the Infrastructure to commission the installation of bilingual signage at Belfast's Grand Central Station.
The Minister has been under fire from elements within unionism after TUV MLA Timothy Gaston called on the decision to be subjected to a cross-community vote at the Executive.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Monday afternoon, An Ulster Unionist spokesperson said: "The Ulster Unionist Party have always been clear that we have no issues with use of the Irish or Ulster Scots languages by those who choose to learn and speak it.
"We have always emphasised our concerns regarding the costs of implementing legislation and other language provisions, particularly at a time when finances across the Executive table are particularly restricted.
"For Ministers to choose multi-lingual signage over other vital services is simply a dereliction of duty – If the Health Minister decided that every location used for health and social services provision were to be given multilingual signage, the cost would impact directly on the ability to deliver essential healthcare solutions. This is the same for every Minister around the Executive table."
The party said that while the language should not be seen as a threat to anyone, it has been "weaponised for over 100 years by elements within republicanism."
"It would be remiss not to recognise the sense of unease created within elements of our community when a narrative has been created and enforced that ‘every word of Irish spoken is like another bullet being fired in the struggle for Irish freedom," they continued.
"Such language, backed by the sense that elements within Republicanism still use the Irish language to reinforce division across Northern Ireland, do nothing to make many feel that the language is inclusive or welcoming for all.
"Perhaps if Republican leadership were to take ownership of the abuse and weaponisation, both historical and more recent, of the Irish language, there would be less mistrust and concern in many quarters.
"Ultimately, in this instance, it is for the Minister for Infrastructure to explain the rationale behind her decision to allocate this expenditure at a time when her department is cutting back on road safety programmes."
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