A proposal for dual language street signs put forward by Causeway Coast and Glens Sinn Fein group, has failed again after being voted down by the Mayors casting vote.
The Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has maintained one of the most stringent policies regarding dual language street signs. Under current regulations, a proposal for dual language signage requires an initial petition from 33% of residents, followed by a demanding 66% supermajority approval through a postal survey. This policy has resulted in no successful applications to date.
During April’s Environmental Services Committee, Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Watson sought to amend this policy, advocating for a reduction in the approval thresholds to align with more permissive standards seen in other regions. Watson’s proposal, which aimed to lower the requirement to either a 15% threshold or a simple majority, was backed by the Irish Language Commissioner’s guidance.
However, it faced opposition from Unionist majority members who voted against any relaxation of the rules.
In May, Councillor Watson returned with a revised proposal, suggesting that a simple 50% majority of returned responses be sufficient for approval, alongside a one-year waiting period for reapplication. Despite her efforts, the revised motion again fell short, with 18 councillors supporting it and 20 opposing.
In a final attempt to break the deadlock, following a call in, a recent vote resulted in a tie of 18-18. The DUP Mayor was called upon to cast the deciding vote, ultimately leading to the motion’s failure once more.
Speaking following the vote, Councillor John McAuley wrote on social media, “The latest vote on Sinn Féin’s proposal for dual-language street signage in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council should be a wake-up call for unionists.
“While Sinn Féin’s motion failed, the result shows how finely balanced the Council is.
“Once again, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, the yellow shade of nationalism played a key role. Despite claiming neutrality, it continues to vote with Sinn Féin and the SDLP on contentious cultural issues, raising questions about its stance.
“Voters are entitled to ask: where is the neutrality Alliance claims?
“This vote shows unionism cannot be complacent. Every seat and every vote matters.
