Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[tonto1888]

If 9 houses in a culture de sac didn't mind Irish signs and one Loyalist mouthpiece was vehemently opposed to them you know who'd get their way.

In fairness, at least in Belfast that's not what happens.

Forget the "it's the language of the country" guff from people who can barely speak a word of it. It doesn't make you any more of a republican to come out with lines like that. Especially when it's demonstrably false.

For years the the accusation has been that nationalists politicise the Irish language, and that we want to force it on "themmuns". Pushing Irish signs in where they're not particularly wanted or actively unwanted only gives ammo to that argument. It achieves nothing other than wasting money. Some people don't speak and don't want to speak Irish. And that's fine.

And of course this guy sticks his oar in with more of his own guff. The Irish language is nothing to do with republicanism. And how do you know how much of it I can speak??
Of course it's fine for people who don't want to speak it. The reverse is also true. Plenty of people do want to speak it and are learning.
Personally it doesn't bother me if there are or aren't Irish road signs in any area though and I certainly wouldn't want to see them pushed where they are not wanted. The language is for all and I do agree with you about not giving certain folk opportunities to demonise it.

[gallsman]

"Sticks his oar in"

It's a discussion board ffs.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

At £1000 at touch, I'd question whether the promotion of the Irish language would benefit more if this was invested elsewhere.

Undoubtedly, there is a painting the kerbs element to this. But that's what some people want. And you only need 15% of the people to want it.

[general_lee]

I'm all for promoting the Irish language and I am supportive of bilingual street signage in general, however the BCC policy is open to abuse by Loyalists. It should be confined to Irish and Ulster Scots.

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northern-ireland/farcical-belfast-street-sign-policy-under-fire-again-as-japanese-application-deemed-invalid-VPZF4MAMCRDULLVP36TMBB43BM/

[DaleCooper]

The sectarian pigs wallowing in muck whilst we cant get a basic road built.


About right for the 6C

[marty34]

I've said it before and I'll say again.

The purpose of signage is to inform people where they are and to help direct them to where they're going.

The moment a sign becomes bilingual, its very purpose is diminished. And if we can can all agree that scanning your phone notifications when driving is dangerous behaviour, then I would suggest that bilingual road signs, especially for visitors on fast moving routes, is also dangerous. Not to the same level as texting, but still an unnecessary distraction. And the need for road safety should always outrank anyone's cultural persuasions.

FFS. Jamie Bryson in disguise?

[The Boy Wonder]

If the Unionist parties do form a successful pact for the next Assembly Elections it could be a blessing in disguise for Sinn Fein. A period on the opposition benches in Stormont would give them their opportunity to undermine an Executive that will never earn broad support anyway. But it is hard to see how Unionists could get the numbers to form an Executive on their own.

The new leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jon Burrows, was on The View tonight. A very smooth speaker but does not seem to have unanimous support within his party. Mark Carruthers exposed his shallowness with his questioning. As the 8th different leader of the Ulster Unionists this Millennium he seems destined to last not much longer than his predecessors. The TUV will eat into the DUP support but Alliance should grow the middle ground.

I also looked back on Nolan Live that I had recorded on Tuesday. What a makeover that man has had - he was barely recognisable from the Nolan of old.

[Milltown Row2]

Unionist parties have a deep hatred of each other, so a pact seems unlikely at this stage

UUP have always been the traditional top party until big Ian came along and wiped them out after the GFA

So those sniggers run deep and still smarting from losing the top dog party in Unionist areas

TUV I can't see topping anyone soon, but who knows, turn up the rhetoric and it feeds into the PUL community who are fed a serious amount of drivel on social media

At the end of the day the school playground has more maturity than the tit for tat slagging going on up on the hill.

Will there ever be adult politics here?