Ulster Unionist Councillor, Walter Lyons, has issued a statement on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party Group on Down District Council.
Mr Lyons said:
“We were delighted to meet with Linda Ervine before tonight`s Council meeting and agreed to meet again at the East Belfast Mission to learn of the work that she does, to hear of positive aspects of the Irish Language and to lend our support to her group.
“For years the Irish Language has been used as a political weapon by some in Down District Council when instead it could be used as a means of reconciliation. Unfortunately the views of Unionists and others have been ignored in the implementation of Irish Language policy in Down Council.”