Dáil motion tabled on EU recognition of Irish

Sinn Féin's TDs

Sinn Féin's five TDs tabled a Dáil motion on Tuesday asking that Irish be included as one of the official working languages of the European Union to coincide with the accession on May Day of the new states and their corresponding official languages. 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."

An Post urged to give Irish equal status

Ag an gcruinniú míosúil den Chomhairle Bhaile Thrá Lí, bhí rún ag Cllr Risteárd Ó Fuaráin ag iarraidh ar An Post aitheantas ceart a thabhairt don Ghaeilge. At the monthly meeting of Tralee Town Council, Cllr Risteárd Ó Fuaráin tabled a motion calling on An Post to afford equal status to the Irish language.

"The Official Languages Act 2003 places certain obligations on bodies to give equal status to the Irish language," said Ó Fuaráin, tabling the motion. "However, An Post has failed to do this. I would like to make particular reference to Part 5 of the Act, which states that public bodies must use both Irish and English forms of placenames. The new signage erected by An Post has the placename in English only. This is totally unacceptable. This comes on the back of the practice by An Post to publish correspondence devoid of any Irish and even has 'Post Office' as its heading, with no trace of 'An Post'. An Post must halt this unacceptable trend immediately and correct the mistakes they have made. Those with a respect for the Irish language will accept nothing less."

The motion was passed unanimously.