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Irish signs at Grand Central Station to cost £150k

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter
Pacemaker Passengers waiting inside Belfast's Grand Central Station. There are rows of grey seats with some passengers sitting on them, with suitcases beside them. Some passengers are walking through the station. There are large pillars, a high ceiling and tall glass windows. Blue information screens show train and bus times. Pacemaker
Irish language campaigners had called for signage at Belfast's Grand Central Station

Irish language signage at Grand Central Station in Belfast is set to cost about £150,000.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins confirmed on Monday plans to install the bilingual signs later in the year.

Irish language campaigners had called for the move, but some unionist politicians have criticised the spending.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said the funding of "approximately £150,000" would include changes to physical signs and to displays on ticket vending machines.

The £340m public transport hub Grand Central Station opened in phases from September.

Kimmins said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important the station was "reflective of all citizens".

She told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme there were discussions with public transport operator Translink over the cost of new signage.

"We're in a better position now of understanding what's needed, how much it will cost, and those types of things, and we're happy to move ahead now," she said.

Pacemaker Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. She is wearing a red top and has brown hair. There is a microphone in front of her. Behind her are cream walls and a large window. Pacemaker
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language"

In a statement a DfI spokeswoman said the department provided Translink with funding for "capital improvement projects" such as Grand Central Station.

She said the funding would include changes to physical signs and ticket vending machines.

A Translink spokeswoman said the signage was being funded by DfI.

"Design work to progress additional use of Irish on physical signage and on ticket vending machines at Belfast Grand Central Station will now commence following the announcement by DfI," she added.

Pacemaker A Translink worker wearing an orange hi-vis vest walking past a group of protesters standing around a large red banner placed on the ground in the middle of Grand Central Station. Pacemaker
Irish language campaigners protested at Grand Central Station over the signage issue in September 2024

Irish language campaigners protested at Grand Central Station over the signage issue shortly after it opened to the public.

Translink at the time defended its handling of the matter, saying that Irish was among the languages used on "multi-lingual welcome signage".

It had said discussions about signage were continuing with interest groups and political parties.

Democratic Unionist Party assembly member Deborah Erskine, chairwoman of Stormont's infrastructure committee, on Monday described the minister's decision as "misguided".

She said funding "could and should have been better spent on fixing our roads and improving infrastructure for everyone".

Traditional Unionist Voice assembly member Timothy Gaston said it was a "divisive" move.

He said he had lodged an assembly petition in an attempt to have the decision referred to Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive for a cross-community vote.

Such petitions need the support of 30 members of the assembly.

The infrastructure minister on Monday said the Irish language was "for everyone" and "nothing to fear".

The Sinn Féin minister said she was "committed to delivering equality for everyone".

On Tuesday, she told the Northern Ireland Assembly an equality screening exercise on the signage decision found it would have a "minor positive impact".