Implementation of provisions relating to the síneadh fada, language standards and public service recruitment targets in the year ahead are a positive sign
Conradh na Gaeilge has welcomed the news that the majority of the remaining provisions under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 will be commenced over the coming year.
Speaking today, Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, commented:
“Conradh na Gaeilge has welcomed the news that the majority of the remaining provisions under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 will be commenced over the coming year. These provisions are important steps towards achieving the aims of the Act, and we commend the Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan for the announcement of the timeline.
Conradh na Gaeilge had previously put forward a number of the provisions to be implemented before the end of the year, with the support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht community. This includes parity for Irish on forms, service through Irish from private groups providing public services, usage of names in Irish with a síneadh fada and others. We are happy that other provisions that we proposed are already in effect, such as the goal that 20% of the people recruited by 2030 will be competent in Irish and that 20% of public bodies' advertising will be in Irish with 5% of their advertising budget spent on the Irish media.”
Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, stated:
“It is important that we now have deadlines for the provisions from the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 to come into force. As these dates are reached, we will continue working to ensure that public bodies and other relevant groups are fulfilling their duties under the new provisions. These deadlines allow enough time for bodies to prepare and to ensure they are complying with the Act when it comes into force.”
By 31 October 2023, we will see results from most of the provisions laid down under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. Conradh na Gaeilge supports the amendments relating to recruitment in the public sector, advertising, marketing materials in Irish, the use of logos and official names of public bodies in Irish, increased monitoring powers of the Coimisinéir Teanga, the change from the system of language schemes to language standards and more arising from the amended Act.
