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Grand Central Station to install Irish language signage

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter
PA Media A sign saying 'Welcome to Belfast Grand Central Station'PA Media
Irish language campaigners had criticised the lack of Irish language signs when the station opened in September

Irish language signage is to be installed later this year at Belfast's Grand Central Station, Stormont's infrastructure minister has said.

Liz Kimmins said the bilingual displays would include passenger information and signage on ticket vending machines.

The move follows criticism from Irish language campaigners when the new public transport hub opened in September.

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

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

Kimmins announced her decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday.

NI Assembly Liz Kimmins speaking in front of a podium in the assembly. She has light brown hair tied back, wearing a navy jacket with gold buttons and khaki top underneath. Other MLAs are in the background.NI Assembly
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced her decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday

The minister said she was "committed to the visibility and promotion of Irish language" and it was important that Grand Central Station was "reflective of all citizens".

"I have therefore taken the decision to install bilingual signage at Belfast Grand Central Station and on all Translink's ticket vending machines," she said.

Kimmins said the bilingual signage would include "way-finding" signage, passenger information, safety notices and customer service signs.

The Sinn Féin minister said the signage would be "installed later this year".

A Translink spokesperson said design work to progress additional use of Irish on physical signage and on ticket vending machines will now commence following the announcement by Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

"This is an extension of the multi-lingual welcome signage which is already in place at the station."

NI Assembly Timothy Gaston speaking in the assembly. He has short dark hair, wearing black glasses, a navy suit with white shirt and blue tie. He is holding a piece of paper with both hands.NI Assembly
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said the minister was "abusing her position to fire cultural bullets"

Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) assembly member Timothy Gaston was critical of the decision.

Speaking in the assembly, he asked why the minister was "abusing her position to fire cultural bullets" in a "loyalist heartland of Belfast".

Kimmins said the Irish language "is for everyone" and "it's nothing to fear".

She said she was "committed to delivering equality for everyone".

Responding to the announcement, DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said it "perfectly reflects the misguided priorities of the DfI under Sinn Féin".

"While people across Northern Ireland are dodging potholes on crumbling roads, or watching streetlights being ripped out in rural areas, the minister is more focused on Irish language signs for a bus station," Erskine said in a statement.

Questioning the cost, Erskine added funds "could and should have been better spent on fixing our roads and improving infrastructure for everyone".