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The Nolan Show: New funding for Irish language - electioneering or are DUP offering olive branch to Sinn Fein?

PaulGivan

12/01/2017

New funding for Irish language - electioneering or are DUP offering olive branch to Sinn Fein?

BBC Radio Ulster - The Nolan Show, New funding for Irish language - electioneering or are DUP offering olive branch to Sinn Fein?

Communities minister Paul Givan has announced he has found money to continue Liofa bursary

Communities minister Paul Givan has announced he has found money to continue Liofa bursary - electioneering or are DUP offering olive branch to Sinn Fein?

Northern Ireland is hurtling towards a snap election just seven months after what was supposed to be a fresh start for Stormont. Writing in the Belfast Telegraph today, Martin McGuinness said there will be no 11th-hour deal and a return to the polls is "a must". He said: "The people should have the opportunity to have their say and make their voice heard on these issues". The issues her referred to are the Cash for Ash RHI scheme scandal but also the bitter row between the two parties over the Irish language. In his article Mr McGuinness called communities minister Paul Givan's decision to cut Irish language funding for kids "bigoted".

Now in a remarkable twist this morning, communities minister Paul Givan has tweeted a matter of minutes ago that he has found the money. He tweeted: "My decision on the Líofa Bursary Scheme was not a political decision. I have now identified  the necessary funding to advance this scheme." So what is going on - is this electioneering or are the DUP offering an olive branch to Sinn Fein?

Vinny talks to Sinn Fein's Niall Ó Donnghaile, SDLP's Nichola Mallon, TUV leader Jim Allister, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, commentators Brian Rowan and Seamus Close and we took your calls.

Also on the programme, the news agenda this week has been dominated by politics but one story we wanted to bring you was of the hero Translink driver Ronan Ward. He was on route to Dublin and pulled his bus over to save a man who was in a distressed state on a bridge in Strabane. Vinny spoke to Ronan earlier this week and he told him what happened. As you'll hear Ronan say in the interview a lot of people are affected by depression and mental health issues. Vinny also hears from Linda Bryans who works with Aware Defeat Depression.

And, how is your parking? It's

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