Belfast City Council may include Irish in new logo as councillors vote on plans | UK News

Belfast City councillors will decide later whether to adopt a new language policy which would lead to more widespread use of Irish across the city.

Sinn Féin have said they hope the new policy, if passed, will lead to a new English-Irish bilingual logo being displayed on council vehicles and uniforms, as well as signs.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said it is “madness” to adopt the new policy and expressed concern about the safety of some staff. It also claimed the plans have not been fully costed, and has described them as “divisive”.

A decision is due to be taken on Wednesday evening at the monthly meeting of the 60-member council.

The DUP said they have been contacted by some council staff who are worried about their safety in parts of the city if they have bilingual writing on their uniforms.

Sarah Bunting, DUP councillor for Balmoral, said some staff have directly approached her about the issue.

“Our front-line staff, particularly those who are doing bin collections and street cleansing, they are coming to us and saying that driving vehicles with dual language logos on it, and wearing uniforms with dual language logos on it could pose a safety risk to them going into some areas of the city,” she told News NI.

Sinn Féin councillor Tomás Ó Néill said there was increasing support for the Irish language in Belfast.

“The sky isn’t going to fall in when this policy is approved,” he added.

“We only have to look at Mid Ulster Council, Derry and Strabane [Council], Fermanagh and Omagh [Council], Newry, Mourne and Down [Council].

“We are not re-inventing any wheel here, we’re just more accurately reflecting the public that makes up this city.”

He said there would be a gradual implementation, with some changes not made until “end of life or use” replacements are required.

He said there had been a council underspend and £1.9m has been earmarked to pay for changes.

Sinn Féin is the largest party on the council with 22 seats but does not have an overall majority.

The proposed new 18-page policy has been published on the council’s website.

It was approved by a Belfast City Council committee in September, but is subject to ratification at Wednesday night’s meeting.

A council spokesperson said: “Following meetings of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources committee… elected members have approved an Irish language policy for the council, along with a high-level implementation plan for the next two years.

“This includes the adoption of a new bilingual corporate identity and logo.

“Design work for the new identity and logo is ongoing, and further engagement will be undertaken with trade unions as part of this work through the council’s industrial relations framework.”