Belfast City Council deferred a Sinn Fein proposal to eliminate time limits on new applications for Irish language street signs after previous rejections. The motion came before the People and Communities Committee during a meeting this week.

Sinn Fein west Belfast councillor Matt Garrett called for resurveying streets where Irish signage failed to gain 15% resident support. He noted that resident turnover justifies fresh polls. Garrett specifically requested a new poll on University Street near Queen’s University, which recorded 14.28% support last year.

The proposal would require resurveying Isoline Street and Lismain Street in east Belfast for Irish signs before considering their pending Ulster Scots applications. Both streets previously fell short of the 15% threshold for Irish signage. Council officials had recommended dismissing the repeat Irish requests.

DUP group leader Sarah Bunting opposed removing time limits. She argued it invites repeated applications until the threshold is met. Bunting added that dual-language signs lack a removal process if area demographics shift.

Officials recommended a two-year limit before retrying a failed language application. People Before Profit supported Sinn Fein. Alliance questioned practical implementation.

A single householder or area councillor request triggers the survey process under current rules. The deferral allows officials to provide further details on the time limit change.