Belfast City Council councillors voted down a proposal to add Irish language street signs to Stormont Park in east Belfast. The decision passed by a single vote margin after a debate on resident survey results.

A survey of Stormont Park householders showed 67.47% opposed the signs, with support just clearing the required 15% threshold by 0.66%. Sinn Fein proposed the signs despite the opposition, gaining support from all nationalist parties on the council.

SDLP group leader Seamas de Faoite stated the survey process checks for a threshold rather than acts as a street-by-street referendum. He said some parties treat it as a referendum, which opens it to abuse by those opposing Irish language signs.

Alliance councillor Michael Long noted two Stormont Park residents contacted him claiming they were not surveyed. He said their input might have dropped support below 15%, and stressed rights for all street residents.

DUP councillor James Lawlor questioned ignoring such clear survey results and noted vandalism of similar unwanted signs elsewhere in east Belfast.

Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie responded that street signs do not cause damage, but individuals do. He likened resident opposition to objections against local language signs in Spain, France or England.

DUP group leader Sarah Bunting countered that Northern Ireland's history differs from those countries. She said pushing signs against community wishes risks division and conflicts with good relations policies.

In a separate vote, councillors approved Irish signs for Onslow Park by 30 to 27. There, 35% of residents opposed the signs while 25% supported them.