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McCausland holds Gaeltacht talks | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
DUP Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Nelson McCausland has held his first cross-border engagement. | |
He attended a North-South Ministerial Council sectoral meeting in the Donegal Gaeltacht, where the predominant language is Irish. | |
Also present was Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and two Republic of Ireland ministers. | |
Speaking earlier, Mr McCausland said he would not attend a Catholic church service during his tenure as minister. | |
"I would not attend a service in a Roman Catholic church," he said. | "I would not attend a service in a Roman Catholic church," he said. |
"That has always been my position and remains such. | "That has always been my position and remains such. |
"That does not mean I do not have good relationships with Roman Catholic people." | "That does not mean I do not have good relationships with Roman Catholic people." |
Some nationalists have criticised the minister's attitude to the Irish language and the GAA. | Some nationalists have criticised the minister's attitude to the Irish language and the GAA. |
The Ulster-Scots enthusiast told the BBC his knowledge of the Irish language would "probably remain somewhat limited". | The Ulster-Scots enthusiast told the BBC his knowledge of the Irish language would "probably remain somewhat limited". |
"I always take the view that just because somebody can say a few words in any language, it doesn't mean they've got any great knowledge of it," he said. | "I always take the view that just because somebody can say a few words in any language, it doesn't mean they've got any great knowledge of it," he said. |
"I'm living at present in a cul-de-sac but it doesn't mean I'm fluent in French." | "I'm living at present in a cul-de-sac but it doesn't mean I'm fluent in French." |
Mr McCausland is also responsible for sport, following DUP leader Peter Robinson's reshuffle last month. | Mr McCausland is also responsible for sport, following DUP leader Peter Robinson's reshuffle last month. |
His predecessor Gregory Campbell caused a row by referring to the all-Ireland football final as an "international event" after Tyrone's victory over Kerry last September. | His predecessor Gregory Campbell caused a row by referring to the all-Ireland football final as an "international event" after Tyrone's victory over Kerry last September. |
Mr McCausland said he did not know Tyrone were the Gaelic football champions, adding that neither did he know who the Northern Ireland champions were in squash or lacrosse. | Mr McCausland said he did not know Tyrone were the Gaelic football champions, adding that neither did he know who the Northern Ireland champions were in squash or lacrosse. |