<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail-l-col gmail-l-col-2-3">
<article>
<h1>Councillor Walsh welcomes launch of Belfast Irish language policy</h1>
<p class="gmail-media-meta">21 April, 2017 - by <a href="http://www.sinnfein.ie/bill-groves">Séanna Walsh</a></p><div class="gmail-margin">
<a class="gmail-icon gmail-icon-social-email" href="mailto:?subject=Councillor%20Walsh%20welcomes%20launch%20of%20Belfast%20Irish%20language%20policy&body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinnfein.ie%2Fcontents%2F44307" title="Email">Email</a>
<a class="gmail-icon gmail-icon-social-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinnfein.ie%2Fcontents%2F44307" title="Facebook">Facebook</a>
<a class="gmail-icon gmail-icon-social-google" href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinnfein.ie%2Fcontents%2F44307" title="Google+">Google+</a>
<a class="gmail-icon gmail-icon-social-twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sinnfein.ie%2Fcontents%2F44307&text=Councillor+Walsh+welcomes+launch+of+Belfast+Irish+language+policy" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>
</div>
<hr>
<p>Sinn Féin Councillor Séanna Walsh has welcomed news that Belfast
City Council is to launch a Draft Language Policy, which will have a
focus on the Irish Language.</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">Councillor Walsh said:</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“The launching of the language policy is a
welcome step in recognising the Irish language and role it plays in our
society and in the city.</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“This is one of the many steps taken on the back of Sinn Féin’s equality strategy.</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“The language policy if passed will see
Irish being used in tourism and cultural initiatives as well as in
council events, facilities and in the council chamber.</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“Irish will also be used on the council
website and bilingual press statements made available and the
appointment of an Irish language officer will help deliver on all these
proposals.</p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“The policy will also see the development of Ulster Scots, other minority languages and sign language. </p>
<p class="gmail-x_MsoNormal">“The Irish Language belongs to all our
citizens and threatens no one. I would encourage all groups and those
interested in languages to partake in the consultation process when
issued.”</p>
</article>
<a href="http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/44307">http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/44307</a><br></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
</div>