Unionists will only accept legislation for the Irish language if it also includes protections for British culture and the Ulster Scots identity, Arlene Foster has said.



In a keynote speech ahead of negotiations between the main parties represented in the Stormont assembly, the former first minister of Northern Ireland told the DUP ruling executive on Thursday night that despite holding the balance of power at Westminster her party was still committed to bringing back the regional government in Belfast.

But the DUP leader insisted she did not regard the Irish language as a threat to the union or her Britishness.



Sinn Féin has insisted it will not go back into a power-sharing government with the DUP unless a stand-alone Irish language act, which would put the Irish language on an equal par in law to English, is agreed during talks aimed at restoring devolution.

On what is now emerging as the key roadblock to progress in the talks, Foster said: “We have nothing to fear from the Irish language nor is it any threat to the union. We have previously supported practical measures for the Irish language and we will do so again if we can reach a wider agreement on these matters. However what we cannot and will not do is simply to agree to one-sided demands.

“I have also heard from those within the unionist community who hear others speaking about respect while at the same time they engage in a campaign to denigrate and demonise any and all aspects of our British identity in Northern Ireland or insult the Ulster Scots community. This is not acceptable.”



Foster called for a “new cultural deal”, which she said would provide a comprehensive and long-term approach to the sensitive issue of identity in Northern Ireland.



The DUP’s 10 MPs are critical in terms of propping up Theresa May’s minority Conservative government in parliament. However, on Thursday Foster stressed the DUP was still fully committed to bringing back devolved government to Northern Ireland despite its new power at Westminster.



She said the DUP was in favour of bringing forward legislation to address cultural and language matters but added that there were more pressing issues.

Foster said: “That’s not me saying that language or culture isn’t important. To me – and to many – they just should not have a greater priority than health or education or the economy. But I understand and appreciate the need to deal with matters of culture and language in a mature way that aims to engender real respect for the multitude of cultures that coexist in Northern Ireland today.”

The DUP leader also defended the £1bn-plus deal that the party made with the Tories in June in order to put May back into 10 Downing Street.

She said: “Some who sought to undermine us from the start said that we would selfishly pursue party interests in our discussions with the Conservative party. Instead, we secured a financial package worth £1.5bn that is intended to boost our economy, rebuild our infrastructure, help reform our NHS and will be to the benefit of everyone, everywhere in Northern Ireland.

“While the new parliamentary arithmetic delivers a measure of influence it does not change our fundamental belief in Northern Ireland shaping its own destiny. I want to see devolution restored immediately.”

Foster’s broad hint at all-encompassing legislation to promote not only the Irish language but also Ulster Scots and Orange culture is likely to be opposed by Sinn Féin.

Gerry Adams, the Sinn Féin president, has repeated his party’s demand for a stand-alone act only covering the rights of Irish speakers in Northern Ireland. He said: “The British government and unionist parties have failed to fulfil their commitment to an acht na Gaeilge (Irish language act) and to the full implementation of the Good Friday and St Andrews agreements.

“Implementation of these matters must be a bedrock of any future executive. Equality must be a bedrock for any future executive. The rights of Irish speakers must be recognised and respected.”

Foster referred to Adams’s recent comments about his scepticism that power-sharing could be restored. She said: “I want to see devolution restored immediately and we are working to that end. But, as we all know, Sinn Féin has built a barrier to the return of Stormont, and as I indicated earlier in the summer, I question whether Sinn Féin is serous about wanting to see an early return of Stormont. That is not an unreasonable question given some of the recent comments from Gerry Adams.”