Irish Language Committee to discuss 20 Year Strategy with Minister

Chairperson of the Committee Catherine Connolly TD: “We are now seven years into the 20 year strategy and, instead of an increase in the number of people speaking Irish, we are seeing a decline in the numbers. The Committee is seriously concerned at the lack of any progress in achieving the aims of the 20 Year Strategy and we feel that immediate action needs to be taken, including investment, to protect the Gaeltacht, to foster employment in the Gaeltacht  and to ensure that the Irish language remains a vibrant living language both inside and outside the Gaeltacht.

“In addition and linked to this the Committee will discuss the recent report entitled 'A Commentary on the Language Scheme System' which the Coimisinéir Teanga published in April 2017 and which he discussed with the Committee recently.  The Committee is deeply concerned at the failure of the Language Schemes to result in the provision of truly bi-lingual services by public bodies to the public. The Committtee notes that the commitments outlined in many of the Language Schemes have not been fulfilled. It is clear that the Language Schemes have not worked and are not working, and given this, it is time to re-examine the way in which public bodies are meeting their duties in this regard.”

This meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 at 5pm today, Tuesday, 2 May 2017.

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