NI Dec 22 Assembly Election

Prove that 110 years ago they were lying or illiterate? So you think that 110 years ago less than 5.5% of the population in East Belfast was illiterate. I would say it was more than 5.5%.

It is not unreasonable to assume that 110 years ago, at least 5.5% of the population were illiterate, given that 110 years later, in Ireland, in the 21st century, despite all the EU money and the technology and the celtic tiger , " The OECD Adult Skills Survey shows that 17.9% or about 1 in 6, Irish adults are at or below level 1 on a five level literacy scale. At this level a person may be unable to understand basic written information." 

Do not take my word for it, I am quoting from the National Adult Literacy Agency, here in Ireland. Not 2 individuals in Belfast funded by the lottery, and who aim is to promote the Irish language! Surprise surprise, after a few years research they found 87 individuals in east Belfast 110 years ago who spoke Irish. Well, they had a cupla focail anyway. Probably. :) I nearly spilt my coffee laughing.

https://www.nala.ie/good-news-as-oecd-results-shows-irelands-15-year-olds-are-among-the-best-in-reading-literacy/

Maybe you think literacy was much much higher in Belfast 110 years ago (95% of the population?) compared to literacy in Ireland now ( 80% of the population?). Does not sound if the Irish education system is much good in the past 110 years so then, despite all the EU money and technology? Why, according to your conclusions and the statistics, is illiteracy much more in Ireland now than in east Belfast 110 years ago? Oh, I forgot, its the Brits fault.

So your claim is that 5,799 people were illiterate when completing their census returns?

That's what you have to negate the work done by this project?

I would say at least 5799 people were illiterate 110 years ago, given that in Ireland only a few years ago  The OECD Adult Skills Survey shows that 17.9% or about 1 in 6, Irish adults are at or below level 1 on a five level literacy scale. At this level a person may be unable to understand basic written information." 

I gave you the link to the above statistic.

Given that

(a) nationalists like Sinn Fein want to increase the use of Irish ( which is fair enough, I studied Irish for 13 or 14 years or whatever at school, it is a democratic country, I have nothing against people who want to learn Irish as long as they do not push it down other peoples throats )

(b) it would not be impossible to have a SF government in the event of a United Ireland : if fairness, while I am not a supporter I will acknowledge they have a lot of support both North and South currently, and are probably Ireland biggest party in many if not every way. ( financially, votes, number of members etc)

(c) life is deliberately made uncomfortable for the residents of the Protestant village in N.I. by placing an official sign with the first words - you could say the dominant words - as Gaelige (in Irish)

if , in the hypothetical situation of an all Ireland state, and you were a "typical" resident of that village, would you trust the government of an all Ireland state not to make life very uncomfortable for you?

I think the Council and the nationalists who are pushing so hard for the Irish language in N. Ireland are actually doing more damage than good in their quest for an United Ireland.

When you look at statistics from 110 years ago, and you find "corrections" on census returns, it is difficult at this point in time to know exactly what went on. Did the 87 people who ticked Irish language and then changed it (or had it changed, perhaps by someone else?) do so by mistake? Were they literate? I do not know. I suspect you or the 2 individuals whose aim is to promote the Irish language and who done the study and who found 87 individuals in east Belfast 110 years ago who spoke Irish could not know for certain either. Statistics are open to interpretation when it comes to Irish. In our Irish census many hundreds of thousands may tick the box that they can speak Irish when all they may know is a cupla focail. Who t.f. cares.

They didn't say 'they knew' in fact, if you bothered to research the proper things they very clearly say this:

They also, if you had bothered to research, presented other evidence proving that Irish language education was happening in the area,

Now could you answer the question asked?

You are incorrect. The row-back has already started. Read the Official Languages Act.

"One of the key objectives of the committee is increasing the number of staff in public bodies competent in Irish, so that by 31 December 2030, at least 20% of staff recruited are competent in Irish."

"The 2021 Act also provides that within 3 months of the National Plan being submitted to the Government, the Minister shall specify the dates that Irish shall become the working language of the offices of any public bodies or class of public bodies in certain Gaeltacht areas and that all services provided by these public bodies shall be provided through Irish."

"While it is unclear what the necessary language standards will be, or how this will be assessed, these changes are likely to have a substantial effect on recruitment into the public sector"

Don't take my word, take the word of a leading law firm.

It's already happening, 20% of recruits by 2030 must have Irish, it will go up again after that.

Exaggeration.

Where does it say 'must have'?

It's an objective, not mandatory.

Personal anecdote from me.

My eldest in his early twenties, went to a Gael Scoil and is proficient in Irish as are all his former school friends and all of them now showing on the census. Multiply that out to all Gael Scoil graduates and the numbers are growing rapidly.

A way has been found to preserve and encourage one of our official languages, rich in heritage and art. That's a good thing which will enrich us all culturally. It already is, if you look at An Cailin Cuain etc.

You are quite correct. IF, and it is a big capital IF, we are to have a united Ireland that welcomes all, we will need to get rid of the tricolour, which despite its origins, is clearly perceived as sectarian, and we will also have to reduce the influence of the Irish language in daily life. This will be very difficult for republicans, but their politicisation of the language has sadly produced this outcome.

"(3) The Advisory Committee shall, in performing its functions under this Act, have regard to the following objectives— (a) increasing the services provided by public bodies through the medium of the Irish language, having particular regard to services provided by public bodies in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks, and

(b) increasing the number of staff of public bodies who are competent in the Irish language so that, as soon as practicable after the establishment day, but no later than 31 December 2030, at least 20 per cent of staff recruited to public bodies are so competent."

Amazing stuff as usual on here. Somehow, an objective clearly set out in law is only optional and not mandatory.

Yes all correct except one point. The bit about people leave parties and join other ones the whole. You hadn’t counted on those few die hard republicans who sit in pubs and sing rebel songs. They are not likely to leave one party and join another, as we can see from some recent posting on here.

but yes you are correct about Arlene and her reason for leaving - and of course david Trimble was the Orangeman who led Drumcree. So the orange is a complete red herring in her move

Those 'elements' certainly didn't approve of Trimble's actions and they disapproved of the GFA (well they disagree with everything, but you get the point)

Trimble faces censure for going to funeral | HeraldScotland

There is also this:

I.E. They turned their backs on Trimble's party and like Arlene, Jeffrey etc switched to the DUP.

Where are you getting these silly quotes. I could tell you that that most of the orange in my town are uup supporters. It’s a broad church and to try and suggest it swings en masse from the uup to the dup is patently nonsense - but it fits your agenda.

mas for you continued Clain that Arlene is a member. Here’s a wee challenge for you that will put it to bed.

you name any prominent unionist of your choice who is a member of OO and I’ll get you a pic of them with their sash on. Then you. Get me s pic of Arlene with her sash on. Put up or shut up! You’ve been at this nonsense for a while.