War of Words

The battle lines for the months ahead may have been lightly traced out today at the committee for Culture Arts and Leisure as the members became vocal over languages.
Today was the first meeting of the committee chaired by Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff, and the occasion was given an extra sense of importance as the DCAL Minister, Edwin Poots came along.
Top of the list of topics raised was the Irish Language Act as David McNarry (UUP) called for an inquiry into it.
This was something which gaeilgeoir Dominic Bradley (SDLP) could not get his head around. Why would an inquiry be required when a recent survey showed that 93 per cent of people were in favour of an Act? And furthermore, the Act is currently undergoing a second period of consultation.
The tight-rope walking Minister was aware of public perceptions, saying if he were to stop the consultation then it would look as if he was ensuring that it was not going to be enacted, so he was determined to see the consultation through to its conclusion.
Speaking to Belfast Media Group after the meeting David McNarry refused to outline the reasons why he was seeking an inquiry, claiming that it was important that he outline them first to the DCAL committee in the future.
Meanwhile Nelson McCausland was keen to see progress on a proposed Ulster Scots Academy, boasting a cultural as well as linguistics element. He further stressed the importance of having his native tongue on the same level of recognition as Irish.
All this points towards DCAL becoming the battleground where a war of words, both figuratively and literally speaking, will be fought out.