GREGORY CAMPBELL HAS said he will not apologise for insulting the Irish Language and would do the very same again.
The DUP politician came under fire earlier this month for saying: “Curry my yoghurt can coca coalyer” in the Northern Assembly, mocking the Irish phrase: “Go raibh maith agat, Ceann Comhairle” which means “Thank you, Chairperson”.
Last Saturday, Campbell was further criticised for saying he would treat a proposed Irish Language Act “as no more than toilet paper”.
Campbell told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta he couldn’t see how what he said was offensive, adding that anyone who was insulted needed a “humour bypass” as it was just a joke.
He said he was “not against those who use the language but those who abuse the language” and criticised Sinn Féin members who start and end their contributions in Irish when speaking in the Northern Assembly.
The politician said he doesn’t believe he should have to listen to a language that he doesn’t understand in his own parliament. He stated that it was not appropriate to use Irish in debates that don’t relate to the language, and referenced MPs from Scotland and Wales who are equally committed to their languages but refrain from speaking them when in Westminster.
Campbell said he was not in support of a language act for the North, adding that the Irish language was very well catered for.
Language groups throughout Northern Ireland have strongly criticised the comments saying they are highly insulting and would be considered racist if directed towards any other culture.
Yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said he “deplored” Campbell’s remarks.
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