NI Conservatives’ culture spokesman Trevor Ringland has congratulated PSNI deputy chief constable, Judith Gillespie, on the Silver Fainne which she has won for learning the Irish language.
“Ms. Gillespie’s efforts to learn Irish are extremely laudable and provide an inspiration for other police officers and young people in Northern Ireland”, Trevor remarked.
“The range of languages spoken in this part of the world are an important aspect of our cultural richness and learning different languages – whether Irish, Chinese, Polish or Russian - improves understanding across our interdependent communities. As the PSNI continues to provide a police service for all the people of Northern Ireland, the deputy chief constable’s efforts are particularly valuable”.
“As a society, we must encourage everyone, young people in particular, to acquire language skills – both to enrich their own cultural experiences and understanding and, when it comes to foreign languages, as a vital means of selling Northern Ireland PLC abroad. Belfast was once a powerhouse of industry, because our businessmen and entrepreneurs exported Northern Irish wares across the globe.”
“As we try to rebuild our traditions of selling to the world, language skills are an essential tool. Judith Gillespie deserves immense credit for making the effort to learn another language, despite her busy job, and it would be great were many more people here to follow her example”.