How has this happened and how has the Irish language become the focus of disagreement? Unionist interestsNorthern nationalists came to believe the DUP was using Stormont to prioritise unionist interests and that Sinn Féin was unable to counter it. Calls for an Irish language Act to cater for the growing Irish language community and Irish-medium school sector dated back to at least 2006, but the issue remained on the political backburner. His letter to Irish language groups ended: “Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.” Irish language activists organised public protests. During the subsequent campaign, Arlene Foster compared an Irish language Act to the feeding of crocodiles.

Source: The Irish Times February 15, 2018 19:30 UTC