Mayor pledges support for Irish language strike
27 February 2025
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr has today pledged her support for those taking part in the Irish language strike in protest at cuts to cross border language funding. Speaking during Chairpersons Business at today’s Full Council meeting at the Guildhall, Mayor said she wanted to raise the issue at the Council meeting to raise awareness of the half-day strike has been prompted by cuts by the Irish Language Agency – Foras na Gaeilge and to pledge her support for the Irish language.
She said: “Around a quarter of the Foras na Gaeilge’s funding is from the Stormont Executive and around three-quarters is from the Irish Government. Foras na Gaeilge has said it has to make savings of more than €800,000 (£669,000) in 2025 and that will mean funding cuts to some groups operating in Northern Ireland, including in Derry. More than 40 language organisations across the island of Ireland are taking part in the strike action today, Wednesday 26 February 2025. This is the first time that the Irish language and Gaeltacht community had taken such action and Irish language organisations are encouraging both governments to reverse the cuts and to put into place a long-term solution to the funding crisis.
As a Council we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all cultural identities are respected.As Mayor of this City and District I think it is vitally important that we acknowledge the significance of the Irish language within our city's diverse cultural landscape and pledge our support towards this campaign for an end to the cuts and a long term funding solution to be found.”
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As Gaeilige.
Gheall Méara Chomhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin, an Comhairleoir Lilian Seenoi Barr, a tacaíocht inniu dóibh siúd atá ag glacadh páirte i stailc na Gaeilge mar agóid faoi chiorruithe ar mhaoiniú teanga trasteorann. Ag labhairt di inniu le linn Gnó an Chathaoirligh ag Mórchruinniú na Comhairle, dúirt an Méara go raibh sí ag iarraidh an cheist a ardú ag cruinniú na Comhairle chun feasacht a ardú ar an stailc leathlae a spreagadh ag ciorruithe de chuid Ghníomhaireacht na Gaeilge – Foras na Gaeilge agus a tacaíocht a gealladh don Ghaeilge.
Dúirt sí: “Tagann thart ar cheathrú de mhaoiniú Fhoras na Gaeilge ó Fheidhmeannas Stormont agus tagann thart ar trí cheathrú ó Rialtas na hÉireann. Tá sé ráite ag Foras na Gaeilge go gcaithfidh siad coigilteas de níos mó ná €800,000 (£669,000) a dhéanamh in 2025 agus ciallaíonn sin go gcaithfear ciorruithe maoinithe a ghearradh ar roinnt grúpaí atá ag feidhmiú i dTuaisceart na hÉireann, i nDoire san áireamh. Tá breis is 40 eagraíocht teanga ag glacadh páirte sa stailc inniu, Dé Céadaoin 26 Feabhra 2025. Seo an chéad uair a raibh a leithéid de ghníomh déanta ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta agus tá eagraíochtaí Gaeilge ag spreagadh an dá Rialtas na ciorruithe a aisiompú agus réiteach fadtéarmach a chur i bhfeidhm ar an ghéarchéim mhaoinithe.
Mar Chomhairle, tá muid tiomanta i dtreo timpeallacht chuimsitheach a chothú ina dtugtar meas ar gach féiniúlacht chultúrtha. Mar Mhéara ar an Chathair agus an Cheantar seo, sílim go bhfuil sé fíorthábhachtach go n-aithníonn muid tábhacht na Gaeilge laistigh de thírdhreach cultúrtha ilghnéitheach na cathrach agus geallann muid ár dtacaíocht i dtreo an fheachtais seo chun deireadh a chur leis na ciorruithe agus réiteach maoinithe fadtéarmach a aimsiú.”