In Gaining Official EU Status for the Irish Language
A compilation of related news items

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Please note that this is primarily an English language site. You are welcome to send your comments using the Irish language but if you do please also include an English translation.  

Page updated: Tuesday, 3 August, 2004 16:45

CURRENT INDEX
Irish becomes formal EU working language — 01 January 2007 12:30
Government Statement on the Irish Language — Tuesday, 19 December 2006
see other developments — Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Minister for European Affairs meets with Members of Fóram na Gaeilge — Thursday, 14 September, 2006
FG Leader outlines reform agenda to energise Irish language — Friday November 11th 2005
Integrity of Irish language newspaper must be protected — Wednesday, 20 October 2004
EU to discuss status of Irish language—Wednesday, 14 July 2004
Sinn Féin calls for Irish language to be made an official working language of the EU —25th May 2004
Irish language should be afforded same status as other EU languages
Sinn Féin steps up pressure for official recognition of Irish language within EU —27 March 2004
Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge— 'Official Status for the Irish Language in the European Union'—25 March 2004
Sargent says now is the time to make Irish an official EU language—20 February 2004
Sinn Fein tables motion on Irish language—20 January 2004
Government urged to seek Irish language recognition before May Day accessions—20th January 2004
Government must fulfil its promise on official EU Status for Irish Language—Tuesday 20th January 2004
Irish language recognition—Senator Joe McHugh—Tuesday 20th January 2004
Adams Urges Official Status For Irish Language—13 January 2004
Deafening silence from Govt EU recognition for Irish language—Friday 16 January 2004

 

latest…

01 January 2007 12:30
Irish becomes formal EU working language
Irish has from today become a formal working language in the European Union.

The addition of Irish will require 29 posts for translation, revision and publication as well as four or five freelance interpreters. For practical reasons, it has been decided that only regulations adopted by the European Parliament and Council will have to be available in Irish.

Other legislative acts will be exempted for a transition period of five years. The annual cost to the EU is estimated at €3.5 million.

Tuesday, 19 December 2006
Government Statement on the Irish Language
Almost 1.6 million people in the Republic of Ireland can speak Irish and 92% of people surveyed feel that promoting the Irish language is important to the country, to themselves personally or to both.

These facts underpin “The Irish Government: Statement on the Irish Language 2006” launched by the Cabinet in Farmleigh House today. Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that this statement marks a major evolution in national policy on the Irish language.

“The aim of 20th century Government policies was to reinstate Irish as the main language spoken by the people, but the Government now plan to focus firmly on the practical development of a bilingual society where as many people as possible use both Irish and English with equal ease.”

This statement commits the Government to the development of a twenty-year strategy based on 13 objectives including;

Full implementation of the Official Languages Act and facilitation of the public's right to use Irish in dealings with the State.

Provision of a wide range of services to parents who wish to raise their children through Irish.

Continuous development of high-quality broadcast services through Irish, especially on TG4, RTE and Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Special support for the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking area.

Continuation of teaching of Irish as an obligatory subject from primary to Leaving Cert level while fostering oral and written competence.

Enhanced investment in professional development and ongoing support for teachers as well as in provision of textbooks and resources and in support for innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Further development of all-Irish secondary education.

Eamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs said that the Government's very clear position is that Irish belongs to everyone, at all levels of fluency.=A0 “Continuing commitment by successive Governments to the language has ensured that the number of Irish speakers is now actually increasing in one Census after another.=A0 I hope that this statement is seen as a foundation for a new policy on which practical action with regard to the Irish language, based on a modern approach and a complete strategy, will be established.”

The following arrangements shall be made in preparing the strategy:
Fóram na Gaeilge will have an advisory role in advising the Minister in relation to the strategy.

A person shall be appointed in the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to direct the work on a daily basis.

€300,000 has been set aside to cover costs related to the preparation of the strategy in the next two years.

Experts will be employed on a contract basis to advise the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Government in relation to the strategy and worldwide expertise will be used in order to complete the work.

The deadline for preparation of the strategy is two years.

The public will be consulted when necessary during preparation of the strategy, as public support for the statement and for the strategy is vital.

The Tánaiste, Michael McDowell T.D. said that as the Gaelscoil movement thrives and initiatives like TG4 grow in popularity, the language is experiencing an unprecedented revival.

“The fact that we have almost 100,000 people throughout the country who speak Irish on a daily basis outside school, is undoubtedly due to the Constitutional, legal and practical protection afforded to Irish in a post-independence society.”

The Government Statement on the Irish Language also commits to giving every assistance and support to the Institutions of the European Union in implementing the decision to make Irish a working and official language in the EU from 1st January 2007.This is a major step forward for the language, both at home and abroad.=A0 For the first time, Irish will be spoken and understood in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

The Government will continue to work closely with the Institutions to help build Irish language capacity as this new and greatly enhanced status for Irish takes effect. In keeping with the spirit of the Government Statement on the Irish Language, Farmleigh House will be holding a Lá Gaelach (Irish Day) on Thursday the 21st of December.

Co-ordinated by Seachtain na Gaeilge, with the assistance of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the Lá Gaelach is designed to cater to all, from those with just the ‘cúpla focal', to fluent Irish speakers.

Ráiteas an Rialtais i Leith na Gaeilge
Tá beagnach 1.6 milliún duine in Eirinn ábalta Gaeilge a labhairt agus measann 92% de dhaoine a ceistíodh i suirbhé go bhfuil sé tábhachtach don tír, dóibh Féin nó iad araon, go gcuirfí an Ghaeilge chun cinn. Is iad na fíricí seo bonn agus taca “Rialtas na hEireann: Ráiteas i leith na Gaeilge 2006” a sheol an Rialtas i dTeach Farmleigh inniu. Ag labhairt dó ag an seoladh, dúirt an Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, go sonraíonn an ráiteas seo éabhlóid mhór sa bheartas náisiúnta i leith na Gaeilge.

“Bhí sé mar aidhm ag polasaithe Rialtais sa 20ú haois an Ghaeilge a chur ar ais mar phríomhteanga labhartha na ndaoine, ach tá sé i gceist ag an Rialtas anois díriú ar shochaí dhátheangach a fhorbairt ar bhealach praiticiúil - sochaí ina bhfuil an méid daoine agus is féidir ábalta Gaeilge agus Béarla araon a labhairt go héasca.” Cuireann an ráiteas seo cúram ar an Rialtas maidir le straitéis fiche bliain a fhorbairt, bunaithe ar 13 cuspóir, lena n-áirítear: Cuirfear Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus déanfar éascaíocht don phobal maidir lena gcuid cearta an Ghaeilge a úsáid agus iad ag plé leis an Stát. Cuirfear réimse leathan seirbhísí ar Fail do thuismitheoirí ar mian leo a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge. Leanfar le forbairt a dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí craolacháin ar ardchaighdeán trí Ghaeilge, go háirithe ar TG4, RTE agus Raidió na Gaeltachta. Tabharfar tacaíocht speisialta don Ghaeltacht mar cheantar ina labhraítear Gaeilge. Leanfar le teagasc na Gaeilge mar ábhar éigeantach ó leibhéal na bunscoile go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta agus cothófar cumas i labhairt agus i scríobh na teanga. Déanfar infheistíocht bhreisithe i bhforbairt ghairmiúil agus i dtacaíocht leanúnach do mhúinteoirí mar aon le hinfheistíocht bhreisithe i soláthar téacsleabhar agus acmhainní agus i dtacaíocht do mhodhanna nuálacha teagaisc agus foghlama. Déanfar forbairt bhreise ar oideachas dara leibhéal trí Ghaeilge. Dúirt Eamon Ó Cuív T.D., an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, gurb é seasamh soiléir an Rialtais gur le gach duine an Ghaeilge, is cuma cén líofacht atá acu.

“Mar gheall ar thiomantas leanúnach na Rialtas a tháinig i ndiaidh a chéile, don teanga, cinntíodh go bhfuil méadú tagtha ar líon na ndaoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge - rud a léirítear sna Daonáirimh.

Tá súil agam go bhfeicfear an ráiteas seo mar bhunchloch do pholasaí nua ar a mbunófar gníomh praiticiúil don Ghaeilge a bheas bunaithe ar chur chuige nua-aimseartha agus straitéis fhoirfe.

“ Déanfar na socruithe seo a leanas chun an straitéis a réiteach:
Beidh ról comhairleach ag Fóram na Gaeilge i gcomhairle a chur ar an Aire maidir leis an straitéis.

Ceapfar duine sa Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta chun an obair a stiúradh ó lá go lá Tá €300,000 á chur i leataobh agam le n-íoc as costais a bhaineann le réiteach na straitéise as seo go ceann dhá bhliain.

Fostófar saineolaithe ar conradh le comhairle a chur ar an Roinn agus ar An Rialtas maidir leis an straitéis agus bainfear leas as saineolas domhanda chun an obair a chur i gcrích.

Spriocam dhá bhliain atá le réiteach na straitéise.

Rachfar i gcomhairle leis an bpobal mar is cuí i réiteach na straitéise ó tharla go bhfuil tacaíocht an phobail don ráiteas agus don straitéis fíorthábhachtach.

Dúirt an Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, go bhfuil gluaiseacht na Gaelscolaíochta ag dul ó neart go neart agus méadú ag teacht ar an éileamh atá ar thionscnaimh ar nós TG4.

Mar gheall ar seo, tá athbheochan ag tarlú nar tharla cheana ó thaobh na Gaeilge de, a dúirt sé. “Tá beagnach 100,000 duine ar fud na tíre a labhraíonn Gaeilge ar bhonn laethúil taobh amuigh den scoil, agus níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil sé seo amhlaidh mar gheall ar an gcosaint phraiticiúil, dhlíthiúil agus Bhunreachtúil a tugadh di sa sochaí tar éis gur baineadh neamhspleáchas amach sa tír seo.”

Freisin, tugann Ráiteas an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge gealltanas go dtabharfar cuidiú agus tacaíocht d'Institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh i gcur i bhfeidhm an chinnidh a rinneadh chun teanga oifigiúil agus oibre a dhéanamh den Ghaeilge san AE ón 1 Eanáir 2007. Is céim mhór chun cinn í seo don teanga, sa bhaile agus thar lear. Den chéad uair, beifear ag labhairt agus ag tuiscint na Gaeilge i gComhairle na nAirí agus i bParlaimint na hEorpa.

Beidh an Rialtas ag leanúint leis an obair dhlúth atá ar bun leis na hInstitiúidí chun cur leis an acmhainn Ghaeilge agus an stádas nua, breise seo atá ag an teanga ag teacht i bhfeidhm. Ag cur le meanma Ráiteas an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge, tionólfar Lá Gaelach i dTeach Farmleigh ar an Déardaoin, 21 Nollaig. Is iad Seachtain na Gaeilge atá ag comhordú na hócáide seo le cabhair ón Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta.

Tá an Lá Gaelach dírithe ar gach duine - iad siúd nach bhfuil acu ach cúpla focal, chomh maith leo siúd atá líofa sa teanga.

Thursday, 14 September, 2006
Minister for European Affairs meets with Members of Fóram na Gaeilge
Progress on arrangements for Irish as official and working language of the EU outlined
The Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Noel Treacy T.D. met with the members of Fóram na Gaeilge today (14 September) to brief them on the arrangements being put in place to prepare for 1 January 2007 when Irish becomes an official and working language of the EU.

The decision by EU Foreign Ministers in June 2005 to accord official and working status in the EU to the Irish language represents a strategically important step for the Irish language, and compliments the Government’s wider policy of strong support for the Irish language at home.

The Minister and the Members of Fóram na Gaeilge discussed challenges and opportunities this new status presents for the Irish language at home and abroad. They exchanged views and information about the steps being taken to build capacity for the language at home, both to facilitate the phased implementation of the Official Languages Act and to address over time the remaining practical constraints relating to the widest use of Irish at EU level.

“The decision last year to grant official and working status for the Irish language at the EU was a tremendous victory for the Government. I was very pleased to be able to update members of Fóram na Gaeilge on the significant progress being made by the Government in preparation for 1st January next – a landmark date for all who love the national language”, concluded Minister Treacy.
Read in Irish

The decision by EU Foreign Ministers in June 2005 to accord official and working status in the EU to the Irish language with effect from 1 January 2007 makes Irish the 21st official and working language of the EU. On their accession, Bulgarian and Romanian will become the 22nd and 23rd respectively. The practical effect of the decision is that: Ministers will be able to intervene in Council in Irish; key legislation will be translated into Irish; Irish will count as a qualifying language for the purposes of recruitment to the EU Institutions, and MEPs will be able to intervene in the European Parliament in Irish.

For practical reasons and to ensure that the necessary Irish language capacity is in place in the EU institutions as from 1 January 2007, a partial derogation for the EU institutions from the full obligations arising from official and working language status for Irish formed part of the agreement. For example, the requirement to translate legislation into Irish extends only to co-legislation where both the Parliament and Council are involved and operational protocols will be in place in the European Parliament about the notice to be given to the interpretation service by a Member who wishes to speak in Irish. The arrangements being put in place are measured and pragmatic in the context of the resources available to the language and the anticipated requirement by members of the public and public representatives (including Government Ministers and MEPs) for Irish language services at EU level. Under the agreement, the derogation will be reviewed within four years.

Fóram na Gaeilge was established by Minister Éamon Ó Cuív to facilitate consultations between Government and the Irish language community on issues relating to the language. Its terms of reference include advising the Minister on:

• the advisability of preparing a 20 year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State
• the short-term strategic priorities of the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the state.
• the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act
• the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work

The membership of the Fóram is drawn from a wide range of Irish language interests and from voluntary and statutory organisations working to advance the language.

 

Friday November 11th 2005
FG Leader outlines reform agenda to energise Irish language
“Innovative strategy will support use of Irish for the 21st Century”
Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny TD, has spelled out his vision for reform in the teaching of Irish, and has called for the development of a national plan that would actively support and encourage Irish for all in the Ireland of the 21st century.

“As one who speaks Irish, I believe we must acknowledge that our language is in trouble. Even though our young people receive, on average, 1,500 hours of education in Irish, many are leaving school without any reasonable command of the language. Despite the fact that they learn Irish all through their schooling, only 3 out of 10 students of Irish attempt the honours paper in the Leaving Certificate. Worse still, thousands of them don’t even turn up for the exam every year.

“We must not shy away from the truth of the matter. Our education system is failing Irish. I want Irish to flourish in every home, classroom and playground, and for that reason we must reform how we teach it. I believe the time has come for a new set of principles to underpin the teaching of Irish for the children of today.  

“Firstly, all subjects in our school system must be evaluated on the basis of educational needs and educational achievements. The Irish language cannot exist outside these considerations.

“Secondly, the needs of our children within the education system are paramount. We must always consider what they achieve from the education system, and how they develop within it. In light of this, educational policies that relate to Irish, and all subjects, should be frequently re-evaluated.

“Finally, we must acknowledge that compulsion, as the political engine to revive the Irish language, has failed.

“Compulsion is a blunt tool. Forcing students to learn Irish is not working, and is actually driving many young people away from any real engagement with this beautiful language.  After the Junior Certificate, young people should have a choice whether they continue to learn Irish. Those who decide to continue will share classes with those who want to be there, learning Irish, rather than those who wish they were somewhere else, learning something else.

“The teaching of Irish should focus on positive encouragements that develop a genuine love and appreciation of the language. By radically updating the curriculum, we must teach Irish as a living language of modern communication, becoming an integral part of a student’s life. We must also develop a realistic national plan, to support Irish for all people, both child and adult.  There should be a far greater emphasis on Irish as a spoken language.

“We need to build from now, not from the past, in a new agenda to support Irish. Irish is part of who we were, who we are, and who we will be. I want to save Irish, and reforming its place inside and outside  our schools is the action that we must now take. ”

 

Wednesday, 20 October 2004
Integrity of Irish language newspaper must be protected
Bairbre de Brún MEP speaking today in Brussels after signing an online petition to defend and protect Irish Language newspaper Lá said: 'In recent days we have seen an unacceptable attack on the Irish language daily newspaper L á by Unionist politicians.

Lá has been become an increasingly successful newspaper, through the dedication of its staff, whose livelihoods Lord Laird seeks to jeopardise, the generosity of the Andersontown News Group, funding from Foras na Gaelige, Interreg and the support of Irish language speakers.

Unionist threats to funding seem to be based on nothing more than resentment at the continuing revival of the Irish language. They would create a cultural deficit if acted on by those in positions of influence.

I with my colleagues and other Irish language speakers throughout the island will seek to protect the integrity of Lá. I commend those organising this petition and urge everyone to support it'

The online petition to support Lá can be found at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/32130966/petition.html

Ag caint i ndiaidh di achainí ar-líne chun an nuachtán laethúil Gaeilge, Lá, a chosaint a shíniú sa Bhruiséil inniu dúirt an Feisire Eorpach, Bairbre de Brún: 'Le laethanta beaga anuas rinne polaiteoirí Aontachtacha ionsaí samhnasach ar an nuachtán laethúil Gaeilge, Lá. 'Tá ag éirí le Lá, trí dhíograis a fhoirne, foireann a bhfuil an Tiarna Laird ag iarraidh a chur as obair, flaithiúlacht Ghrúpa an Andersonstown News, maoiniú o Fhoras na Gaeilge, Interreg agus tacaíocht lucht labhartha na Gaeilge. 'Tá an chuma ar an sceal go mbaineann bagairtí Aontachtaithe le doicheall roimh athbheochan leanúnach na Gaeilge. Bheadh folús cultúrtha ann dá leanfadh daoine a bhfuil tionchar acu a moltaí. 'Déanfaidh mise, in éineacht le mo chomhghleacaithe agus cainteoirí eile Gaeilge ar fud an oileáin, ár ndícheall staid Lá a chosaint. Molaim iad siud atá ag eagrú na hachainí seo agus iarraim ar gach duine tacaíocht a thabhairt di.' Nótai d'eagarthóirí: Is féidir teacht ar an achainí chun tacaiocht a thabhairt do Lá ag:
http://www.petitiononline.com/32130966/petition.html

September 10, 2004
New North/South Irish language website
Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradely, who is the Sinn Fein party spokesperson on Irish, has given a warm welcome to the new website www.gaeilge.ie of Foras na Gaeilge - the North/South Irish language body established under the Good Friday Agreement.

He said: "I wish to congratulate Foras on the development and launch of their new website."

He said the new website is an important facility for the future of the Irish language on the information superhighway.

"This new bilingual website will give people the information they need about Irish, be they learners or experts. There is already a wide range of information available on the site as well as useful links.

"I look forward to seeing this site developed so that it will be the one-stop shop for everything connected to the Irish language. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the language to register with the new site and to post notices and news items about events and activities happening locally or nationally."

Other
14th July 2004
Failte roimh cinneadh an Rialtais ar Stadas na Gaeilge san AE
Chuir Ceannaire Dála Shinn Féin Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin Failte roimh cinneadh an Rilatais chun iarratas a chur isteach do stadas oifigiúl oibre don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach. Dúirt an Teachta Ó Caoláin: "Cuirim Failte roimh cinneadh seo an Rialtais inniu. Toradh maith ar obair dian a rinne an-chuid daoine agus tá comhghairdeas ar leith ag dul ach go háirithe do Fheachtas Stadas. Chuir siad an ceist seo go hard ar an gclár polaitiúil agus fuair siad tacaiocht ar bhonn leathan polaitiúil. Tá súil agam anois go dtiocfaidh an freagra dearfach ón AE gan mhoill. Céim ar aghaidh don Ghaeilge a bheidh ann."

Government decision on EU status for Irish welcomed
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD has welcomed the decision of the Cabinet today to apply for official working status for the Irish language in the EU. Deputy Ó Caoláin said: "I welcome today's Government decision. It is a very good result for the determined efforts of many people and many congratulations are due especially to the Stadas campaign. They placed this issue high on the political agenda and won support on a wide political basis. I hope a positive response comes from the EU without delay. This will be a significant step forward for the Irish language."

 

Wednesday, 14 July 2004
EU to discuss status of Irish language
Fergus O'Dowd TD, Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Irish language and Gaeltacht Affairs has welcomed the Government announcement of forthcoming discussions with EU Member States and the EU Commission with a view to recognising Irish as an official and working language.

"This is a most welcome, if belated, development and is a tremendous credit to the Irish language bodies who have lobbied long and hard for Irish to have official and working language status in the EU.

"This is a cause which has had all party support and I am glad to see that the Minister is at last seeking agreement on the practical conditions necessary to grant Irish its rightful status. I look forward now to a positive conclusion to these negotiations as soon as possible."

Wednesday 23rd June 2004
Successful Irish EU Presidency must not neglect the Irish Language
Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Irish Language, Fergus O'Dowd TD, has today (Wednesday) expressed his concern that little or no movement has occurred, during our EU Presidency, in relation to gaining recognition of official status for the Irish language in the EU.

"I am concerned that as we approach the end of what, has been a very successful Irish Presidency, no progress appears to have been made at all in having the Irish language recognised within the EU. This Government committed itself to examining how best to progress this issue during our Presidency and it is time that we saw some movement on this important issue. The Government received the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group - established to explore what options are open to Ireland on this issue - almost two weeks ago, yet to date, we have heard nothing.

"I am urging the Government to take action before the end of our Presidency. Reaching agreement on a Constitution for the EU is a considerable achievement for the Irish Presidency. However, it would also be a significant milestone for the Irish language, if it were to receive recognition as an official EU language.

"The Government should not long-finger this issue, we need to see movement before the end of our Presidency, otherwise we will miss an historic opportunity to promote our first language."

25th May 2004
Sinn Féin calls for Irish language to be made an official working language of the EU
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Local Government candidates will hold a press conference at 10.30am tomorrow, Wednesday 26th May in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, calling on the government to back demands for the Irish language to be made an official working language of the European Union. Sinn Féin MLA Bairbre de Brún, who is attending an event with Irish language speaking children this evening, will make similar demands of the Government.

 

24th April 2004
Irish language should be afforded same status as other EU languages
Sinn Féin EU candidate for the North West Pearse Doherty speaking at today's march in Dublin, organised by Stádas, has backed calls for the Irish language to be recognised as a full official and working language of the EU. He said 'The Irish language must not be allowed to continue as a second class language within the EU. The government still has time, while they hold the Presidency of the EU, to move on this matter and make Irish an official and working language on the EU. The Irish people will accept nothing less."Mr. Doherty said: "Over 30 years ago the Irish government of the day refused to take up the offer of making Irish an official language of the EEC. That was a disgraceful decision which stands as a mark of shame against that government.

"In a few days time the accession of the new states into the EU will see the current 11 official languages increase to 20. Maltese, which enjoys 380,000 speakers, is already recognised as an official language of the EU. There are at least that many Irish speakers on this island and many more who have a knowledge of the language. There is huge support for this campaign with motions passed in local authorities across the country and in the Dáil.

"Comments from a government spokesperson today that ' it is making good progress on enhancing the status of the Irish language within the EU' are not good enough.

"The Irish language has to be afforded the same status as other = languages within the EU - nothing more, nothing less.

"The government still has time, while they hold the Presidency of the EU, to move on this matter. The Irish language must not be allowed to continue as a second class language within the EU".

Sinn Féin agus Stádas - Tapaigh an Deis' A Eagarthóir, a chara, Táimíd ag scríobh chugat lenár dtacaíocht iomlán d'fheachtas Stádas a chur in iúl arís do phobal na Gaeilge.

Agus Lá Bealtaine beagnach sroichte againn, iarraimid uair amháin eile ar Fhianna Fail agus ar an Pháirtí Dhaonlathach na céimeanna cuí a thógáil le go dtabharfaí Stádas Oifigiúil oibre don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach.

=C1bhar mór míshásaimh is ea seasamh Rialtas na 26 Chondae maidir leis an cheist seo. Ní theastaíonn ach go gcuirfeadh Fianna Fail/an Páirtí Daonlathach rún ós comhair Comhairle na nAirí le go dtabharfaí Stádas Oifigiúil oibre don phríomhtheanga náisiúnta.

Trí dhiúltú don iarratas ar Stádas Oifigiúil don Ghaeilge tá an rialtas ag déanamh neamhaird, ní hamháin d'éileamh an náisiúin ach do mhianta na n-ionadaithe tofa a rith rún sa Seanad agus rún eile a ritheadh sa Dáil ag tacú le feachtas Stádas.

Bheadh impleachtaí móra ag bronnadh an Stádais Oifigiúil do phobal na Gaeilge thuaidh agus theas, thoir agus thiar. Níor chóir go gcaillfí an deis uathúil seo agus an stát seo mar Uachtarán ar an Aontas.

Is muid, Piaras Ó Dochartaigh, Bairbre de Brún, Mary Lou McDonald, David Cullinane, John Dwyer (Iarrthóirí Eorpacha Shinn Féin)

 

27 March 2004
Sinn Féin steps up pressure for official recognition of Irish language within EU
Speaking as the Sinn Féin Slogadh debated the issue of the status of the Irish Language within the EU, Sinn Féin MLA Bairbre de Brún has said that the issue will be an important one in the fortcoming election. Ms de Brún said: The European Union has eleven official working languages. Irish is not one of them. From May of this year, when the accession states become members of the EU, an additional nine languages will be recognised as official working languages. Again Irish will not be included.

EU Commission President Romano Prodi and the Commissioners-designate, last week launched the official EU website in the languages of the new member states on the 16th March 2004. Sinn Féin wants to welcome the new accession states to the EU on May 1st 2004, and the fact that all of the accession states will be able to access the official EU website EUROPA, in their own language, must be viewed as a progressive step. However, once again the Irish language has been overlooked by both the EU and the Irish Presidency.

At present Irish has what is referred to as treaty status, meaning that copies of treaties, such as Nice, are translated. In addition any correspondence with the EU in Irish will be responded to in Irish. However, legislation and law are not provided in Irish. When Ireland joined the Common Market, a mistake resulted in Irish being left off the original list of working languages. This has been admitted by a senior civil servant involved in the negotiations at the time. Now is the time to put that right. As new countries are applying to have their languages included this year, now is the perfect time for the Irish government to request the inclusion of Irish in this list. Attaining official working status is a relatively straightforward matter, requiring only acceptance by the Council of Ministers. Neither the governments nor the peoples of the other states are opposed to the Irish language having such status. The question is, therefore, who is opposed to the Irish government putting this before the Council of Europe? The 1997 the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat Programme for Government stated that "the Government supports the campaign for official status for the Irish language in the EU"After the election of 2002 they said: "we will in future use the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta 2002 as a policy basis", Recommendation 3 of that Commission's report reads as follows: "that status as an official working language in the European Union be achieved". Irish government action is the missing link.

Minister ó Cuív has said that he didn't designate Irish for the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages because Irish is not a minority language but a national language. I can well understand this stance. Yet now we are told that the Irish government can't obtain official working status for the Irish language at the EU because it is not the language of the government or Dáil. What status does the Irish language have according to the Irish government? Does it have any status at all? Some critics have argued that providing additional translation would be a waste of money which could be used more effectively in other ways. Yet these same people raised no objection to this money being spent on translation into eleven or even twenty other languages. Only when Irish was mooted did they begin to ask questions about the cost. When one considers the low level of budget increase involved, a more appropriate question would be whether the rights and entitlements of Irish speakers can be denied on such spurious grounds.

Granting official working status will give Irish speakers equality with their other European counterparts and help the overall development and growth of the language. It will also substantially assist the full recognition of Irish in the Six Counties, where it continues to experience significant levels of governmental and statutory resistance. A positive response by the Taoiseach on this issue would help convince nationalists in the north that at least the Irish government is serious about the commitments given in the Good Friday Agreement to promote the Irish language, and will make British government or unionist resistance all the more difficult. International recognition would have a huge impact on the status of Irish language speakers and learners.

The Stádas campaign, which is calling for the Irish government to take the necessary steps to secure recognition, is growing more popular by the day. All those involved in the campaign need to be commended for their great work. It is time for the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to request the inclusion of Irish in the list of official EU working languages. No other obstacle exists. The time to act is now."

25 March 2004
Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge
'Official Status for the Irish Language in the European Union'
The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare 2 - 4 April 2004
Conradh na Gaeilge will hold their Ard-Fheis in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, Co. Clare, from Friday 2 until Sunday 4 of April. The theme of the Ard-Fheis, and what has been the most controversial campaign for the organisation this year, will be 'The Status of the Irish Language in the European Union'.

The recently-appointed Language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, will launch the Ard-Fheis on Friday evening, the 2 of April, at 9pm, after a lively discussion on 'Language Rights'. Dónall Ó hAiniféin, the chairperson of the organisation, Gaelscoileanna, will be guest-speaker on Saturday afternoon. Among the issues to be discussed over the weekend are The Media, Education through Irish and the recent successes of Seachtain na Gaeilge.

There will be an election for the presidency on Saturday afternoon, as the current President, Séagh Mac Siúrdáin will not be standing as president for a second term. There are two candidates running for the presidential seat, Nollaig Ó Gadhra and Helen Ó Murchú. Throughout the weekend, two more elections will be held for the Executive and the National Committee.

Delegates will travel from all over, from counties Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Galway, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Dundalk, Monaghan, Belfast, Tyrone. All visitors and observers are very welcome.

[For Information: 01 475 7401]

20 February 2004
Sargent says now is the time to make Irish an official EU language
The Green Party, in a joint motion with Labour and Fine Gael, is calling on the Government to use the unique opportunity of Ireland holding the EU Presidency to ensure that Irish becomes an official working language of the European Union.

With effect from May 1 2004, ten new Member States and nine new official languages will be welcomed into the European Union.

The Leader of the Green Party, Trevor Sargent TD said: "Every country which signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and every country which signed a Treaty of Accession since then, except Ireland, has had their official national languages recognized as official languages of the EU. For example, Malta - which will join the EU in May - has had their national language accepted as an official EU language even though it has less national language speakers than Ireland has."

"The decision of the Irish Government, in 1972, to exclude Irish, significantly disadvantaged their own people. Though late, it is both possible and necessary to correct the mistake now, and to achieve recognition for Irish as an official working language."

("Tá gach tír a shínigh Conradh na Róimhe sa bhliain 1957, agus gach tír a shínigh Conradh Aontachais ó shin, ach amháin Éire, tar éis aitheantas a fháil dá dteangacha náisiúnta oifigiúla mar theangacha oifigiúla den Aontas Eorpach. Mar shampla, tá aitheantas faighte ag Malta ? a rachaidh isteach san Aontas, mí na Bealtaine ? dá dteanga náisiúnta mar theanga oifigiúil de chuid AE, cé gur lú líon cainteoirí na teanga náisiúnta ansin ná lion na gcainteoirí Gaeilge in Éirinn."

"Ba é an toradh a bhí ar chinneadh Rialtas na hÉireann sa bhliain 1972 an Ghaeilge a eisiamh ná a bpobal féin a fhágáil faoi mhíbhuntáiste mór. Cé go bhfuil sé déanach, is féidir agus is gá an dearmad sin a cheartú anois, agus aitheantas a bhaint amach don Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre."

According to Green Party Councillor, Deirdre de Burca, the recognition of Irish as an official EU language would have many benefits for the language.

"It would certainly change the attitude of many young people in Ireland towards the Irish language. It would grant it parity of esteem with other European languages and would provide a source of employment opportunities for those interested in learning the language."

Just before Christmas Mr. Sargent TD had raised the matter in the Dáil with Minister for State, Eamon O'Cuiv. Green Party policy holds that it is a fundamental principle of the European Union that language is central to a people's identity and on that basis, respect must be accorded to linguistic diversity. The Greens once again call on the Government to ensure that the recognition of Irish as an official working language of the EU becomes a priority of the Irish EU Presidency

20 January 2004
Sinn Fein tables motion on Irish language
Speaking during the Dáil statements on the Irish EU Presidency, Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has called on the Irish Government during its presidency to ensure that the Irish language becomes an official working language of the EU.

Welcoming the accession of nine new working languages from 1 May, Deputy Ó Caoláin said that Irish should be among them and urged the Government to formally process this through the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. The Sinn Fein TDs have tabled a Dáil motion to this effect.

20th January 2004
Government urged to seek Irish language recognition before May Day accessions
Sinn Féin's five TDs have today tabled a motion asking that Irish be included as one of the official working languages of the European Union to coincide with the accession of the new states and their corresponding official languages on May Day this year. The motion calls upon the Government to put a motion before the Council of Ministers to ensure that Irish will also be given recognition as a working language of the EU.

Speaking on the motion, spokesperson on the Irish Language Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD said: "It is imperative that the Government, during this important period of its EU Presidency, assert the right of its nation and its people to use our own national language in European affairs. There is absolutely no reason why we should not share the right, which other countries of the EU enjoy, in using our official language. The issue is not, nor should it be, how many people speak Irish in the EU when languages such as Maltese and Czech will also, naturally, be given official status in May.

"The campaign for Irish language status has gained much momentum in recent months and we strongly urge the Government to recognise the wishes and rights of the Irish-speaking community and of the Irish people as a whole."

Text of Motion follows:
Go gcuirfeadh Rialtas na hÉireann in iúl do Chomhairle na nAiri gur mian leis an Rialtas go mbeidh an Ghaeilge ina teanga oifigiúil oibre den Aontas Eorpach, agus, Go n-iarrfadh an Rialtas ar Choimisiún na hEorpa an leasú cuí ar Rialachán 1, 1958, a dhréachtadh agus a chur faoi bhráid Chomhairle na nAiri.

The Dáil welcomes the nine languages which will be given recognition as official working languages of the European Union on May Day 2004 and the Dáil calls upon the Government to put a motion before the Council of Ministers proposing that official working language status be given to the Irish language from that date also.

Molann Sinn Féin don Rialtas aitheantas don teanga Gaeilge a lorg roimh Bealtaine seo chugainn

Tá rún curtha síos sa Dáil ag Teachtai Dála Sinn Féin ag iarraidh go mbeidh Gaeilge mar teanga oifigiúl oibre den Aontas Eorpach nuair a thiocfaidh na ballstáit nua isteach san AE i mbliana. Tá siad ag súil go gcuirfidh an Rialtas in iúl do Chomhairle na nAiri go bhfuil an Rialtas ag lorg aitheantas anois don Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre.

Ag labhairt faoin rún inniu, dúirt Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, úrlabhrai ar an Teanga Gaeilge:

"Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach anois, i rith Uachtaránacht an AE, go mbaineann an Rialtas a cheart amach agus cearta na ndaoine chomh maith ár dteanga féin náisiúnta a úsáid i ngnó an Aontas Eorpach.

"Nil aon fáth ar bith nach mbeadh an ceart sin againn, mar atá ag na ballstáit eile, chun ár dteanga oifigiúil a úsáid. Caithfidh go mbeidh an stádas ann nuair a a bheidh stádas ag teangacha Maltéis agus Seic tar éis 1ú Bealtaine.

"Tá an feachtas seo ag fás agus iarraimid ar an Rialtas tacú leis anois."DEIREADH An Rún:

Iarrann an Dáil:
Go gcuirfeadh Rialtas na hÉireann in iúl do Chomhairle na nAiri gur mian leis an Rialtas go mbeidh an Ghaeilge ina teanga oifigiúil oibre den Aontas Eorpach, agus, Go n-iarrfadh an Rialtas ar Choimisiún na hEorpa an leasú cuí ar Rialachán 1, 1958, a dhréachtadh agus a chur faoi bhráid Chomhairle na nAiri.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Seán Crowe TD
Martin Ferris TD
Arthur Morgan TD

 

Tuesday 20th January 2004
Government must fulfil its promise on official EU Status for Irish Language
Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Senator Joe McHugh today (Tuesday) has called for the Government to move at once to have Irish recognised as an official EU language.

Senator McHugh was speaking ahead of a Fine Gael Party Motion calling for Irish to be made an official EU language. The motion will go before the Seanad tomorrow (Wednesday).

"It is ridiculous that Irish is currently only recognised as a treaty language and not as an official language. On May 1st 2004, ten new states will join the EU and this will mean that out of the 20 languages recognised by the EU, Irish will be the only one which will fall outside this group. I do not understand why Irish should be treated as a second-class language. It is given primacy in our Constitution as the 'first official language', which places it even above English and yet it is not afforded the same status in the EU and its institutions. It is not acceptable that the failure to have Irish recognised means that Irish citizens are being denied employment opportunities in EU institutions.

"This FF/PD Government has committed itself under its Programme for Government to having the Irish language recognised as an official EU language, but this seems to be another in a long line of broken promises.

"I am calling on the Government to fulfil this promise and to request immediately that the Irish language is given the respect it deserves among our EU counterparts, by granting it official status at EU level."

Fine Gael Private Members Motion
"That Seanad Eireann calls on the Government to avail of the opportunity, given Ireland's presidency of the European Union, and the fact that the accession of new members to the EU will result in recognition of additional languages in the Union, to have the Irish language recognised as an official working language of the EU and its Institutions."
full text below

 

Tuesday 20th January 2004
Irish language recognition
Senator Joe McHugh speaking on the Irish Language recognised as an official working language of the EU and its Institutions

INTRODUCTION
I would like to begin by welcoming the opportunity to speak on this motion and to set out at this first instance my total support for this motion. I would like to set out clearly what is so indefensible about the failure to have Irish recognised as an official language of the EU. If one examines the situation it not excusable that Irish has been ignored for so long. Every state, which has signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and every country which signed a Treaty of Accession since then, except Ireland, has had their official languages recognised as official languages of the European Union.

THE STATUS OF IRISH
Irish is recognised and set out in our constitution as our first official language, however, it is not an official language of the European Union, and remains only a treaty language of the Union. This status as a Treaty language, after May 1st will mean that Irish will be the only Treaty language, out of 21, which is not also an official language.

I believe that the decision taken by the Irish government in 1972, to exclude Irish as an official EU language was the wrong decision. However, during Ireland's current Presidency of the European Union we now have a unique and advantageous opportunity to right this wrong. It is an opportunity to correct this mistake in the working of the European Treaties. It is timely to act now, particularly as on May 1st this year, Ireland will welcome ten new Member States and nine new official languages into the European Union.

ACCESSION COUNTRIES
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic. Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary will enter the EU and will have all their official languages recognised, bringing the total of official working languages in the EU to 20. However, once again Ireland will be left outside the fold. While admittedly, many of these states such as Poland with 38.6 million have large populations, others such as Estonia, with 1.4 million, Slovenia with 1.9 million and Malta with only 380 thousand people have smaller populations than our own. The point I am making about the size of populations of these smaller states, is that Ireland did not object to their recognition as official languages being granted to languages with fewer speakers than Irish has if one is to go by the latest Census figures on the use of the Irish language in the State.

Again, we have conferred a privilege, and a justifiable one, to the citizens of the accession countries to the EU, which we have not afforded to our citizens here at home.

The peoples of these countries will have the chance to seek and gain employment in the EU institutions, the laws of the Union will be provided for them in their own languages and their language will become part of the workings of the parliament and in all other institutions of the EU. I believe it is time that we acted to redeem this inconsistency in the case of the Irish language.

THE PROCESS OF MAKING IRISH AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The reality is that the process of having Irish recognised as an official working language of the European Union is not so complicated. Allowing Irish to be recognised as an official working language of the EU is entirely a matter for the Irish Government. All that would be required would be that the Irish Government would move to inform the European Commission that they wish to have Regulation 1 of the Treaty of Rome 1958, altered to include Irish as an official working language.

The Irish Government would have to translate all the collection of treaties and acts of the EU which are currently law and after this has been completed, the budget for all further translation would then be funded for the EU's budget, with the cost estimated to be in the region of ?3 million annually.

ADVANTAGES OF OFFICIAL STATUS FOR IRISH
It is clear that there are many advantages for Ireland, if Irish were to be recognised as an official working language of the European Union. The most obvious of these, if not the most ideological, is of course, employment opportunities. It is a basic requirement that all job candidates must have two official languages. This means that currently for Irish people applying for position within EU institutions they cannot count Irish as a second language. Recognising Irish as an official, working language would also naturally create posts for Irish translators and interpreters.

PROBLEMS FACED BY IRISH MEPS
A further problem relates to Irish MEPs who have Irish as their first language and to those who may wish to speak to the European parliament in Irish. Currently, FF MEP Sean O'Neachtain, who was born and lives in the Gaeltacht, needs permission and must give advance notice if he wishes to address the parliament in Irish, despite its Irish constitutional status as Ireland's first official language. Indeed, my own party colleague, Mary Banotti MEP was famously prevented from delivering her maiden speech in the European parliament through Irish. I believe that this situation is not good enough. We should be proud of our national language and it is regrettable that those who do genuinely want to use it at all levels of the EU's functioning are currently prevented from doing so.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Of course, there is the question of the benefit of the recognition of Irish as an official working language of the EU, which cannot be logically measured, but which has value in the broader sense of issues such as national pride and in the publicising and promotion of the Irish language. Recognising Irish as an official language would give it a tremendous boost on a global stage as it would have a truly international status and this would further enhance its status in the public's mind.

FF-PD COMMITMENT TO IRISH
I would also like to remind the Government, in particular, that their failure to have Irish recognised as an official language of the EU represents another broken promise on their part - a phenomenon we in this House and in the Upper House have become all too familiar in recent years. The point is of course, that in both the 1997 and 2002 Programme for Government the FF-PD Government committed themselves to making Irish an officially recognised language of the EU and so far they have done nothing. I would urge the Government to act at once.

Given that the spotlight of Europe rests on Ireland during our presidency, we have the opportunity now to push that Ireland first official language would get the same status all the other sovereign states of Europe.

CONCLUSION
Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that on May 1st this year there will be 21 Treaty languages of the European Union and yet there will only be 20 official languages - Irish will be excluded. I believe that this is not acceptable any longer. Our Constitution sets out that Irish is the first official language, (and in some circumstances this has been upheld by the Courts) and English is the second official language. If we are to follow our Constitution to the letter of the law, then it is proper and fitting that Irish must become an official language of the European Union. Ireland has more than proven itself since we joined the EU in 1973, we have worked hard to embrace the ideals of European citizenship, which it must be remembered clearly embraces and promotes linguistic diversity. We must now right the wrong done in 1973 and move at once to have Irish recognised as the 21st official language of the EU. Why should Ireland, an integral part of the European family, have a second-class status in terms of the recognition of our language within the EU?

 

13 January 2004
Adams Urges Official Status For Irish Language
Gerry Adams MP has written to the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern urging him to seek and secure official status for the Irish language during the Irish Presidency of the European Union.

Mr. Adams said: "Over 30 years ago the Irish government of the day refused to take up the offer of making Irish an official language of the EEC. That was a disgraceful decision which stands as a mark of shame against that government.

"This year the accession of the new states in May will see the current 11 official languages increase to 20. Maltese, which enjoys 380,000 speakers, is already recognised as an official language of the EU. There are at least that many Irish speakers on this island and many more who have a knowledge of the language.

"So far the Irish government, which will hold the Presidency of the EU during this transitional period, has no plans to seek official status for Irish, even though Irish taxpayers will provide money to a translation fund.

"I have written to the Taoiseach urging him to propose a motion to the Council of Ministers to include Gaeilge as an official language of the European Union.

"I believe this should be done as a matter of principle and because it is also critical to efforts across the island to promote the use and status of Gaeilge."

 

Friday 16 January 2004
Deafening silence from Govt EU recognition for Irish language
Fine Gael Spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Fergus O' Dowd TD today (Friday) has accused the FF/PD Government of failing to act at this opportune time to give the Irish language the status it deserves and is entitled to, in the European Union. "Minister O'Cuiv's silence on this issue is in sharp contrast to all the other 20 European governments whose languages will have official recognition in the EU.

"The abject failure of Minister O'Cuiv to have Irish recognised as an official EU language is unacceptable. This failure contrasts sharply with the Governments lofty and very empty promises about the status of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht Commission's finding that Irish should be an official EU language.

"Ireland's current Presidency of the EU affords the perfect opportunity to have Irish recognised as an official language of the EU, with the accession of new states and the recognition of nine new official languages in the EU.

"Currently our MEPs cannot, at will, address the European Parliament in Irish. The non-official status of Irish within the EU and in its institutions, devalues the status of our national first language. Why should Ireland be the only sovereign stat < September 5, 2004 ">September 5, 2004 cognised? Must we forever remain silent, with heads bowed to all other 20 official languages within the EU?"

 

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Dear Sir,

Congratulations on your website - why the government has decided not to make Irish an official language of the EU is beyond me.However, I notice on the first line of your site, you offer people the opportunity to write comments in 'the Gaelic language'. I think you mean 'the Irish language' so perhaps you may wish to change this oversight.
Jimmy Scully

Thanks Jimmy — Ed

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