Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before I begin, I wish to make a suggestion. I am keeping an eye on the monitor and I am conscious that, unlike the people in the Visitors Gallery, those watching the stream of this debate will not benefit from being able to see the interpreter. I am not sure whether any of the Oireachtas staff can do anything about it. It might be worth focusing a camera on the interpreter in the press gallery for the benefit of those watching online.

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh don Teachta Ó Caoláin agus as an tuairisc a chuir sé os ár mbráid agus do Chumann na mBodhar as an bhfeachtas mór a bhí acu le cúpla bliain anuas. Is ócáid thábhacht í seo do phobal na mbodhar agus is céim in airde shuntasach atá ann dóibh.

I have started in Irish because it is one of my native languages. It is a language of which I am very proud and which I have spoken since I was a child. It means a great deal to me. Despite the complaints I might have regarding its status, promotion and funding, I know that although everyone might not understand when I speak it here or in the courts or engage through Irish with public services, it will feature on the record and be translated. It is officially recognised in the Constitution. I have a right to use it in the courts in any circumstances and to engage with public services through my native languages, to greater or lesser extent. While all this is done imperfectly and while there are flaws in how it might be done, I am aware that these are privileges that the deaf community in Ireland does not enjoy. Users of Irish Sign Language do not enjoy these privileges in respect of what is their native language.

I note what the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, said about the Official Languages Act. There is a lot to be learned from that because the manner in which it has been implemented has been quite imperfect and flawed. If we are to use it as a template, it needs to be improved on significantly in terms of how we are to create additional capacity. I have significant complaints I could rehearse in regard to it.

It is extraordinary that the campaign for the recognition of Irish Sign Language has been taking place for so long. I note from some of the information we have received from the Irish Deaf Society that the matter was first raised in 1988 by former MEP Eileen Lemass. Perhaps this was not the first occasion on which it was raised but it was certainly the first resolution on sign languages in the European Parliament. The year 1988 is the year before I was born so it is literally a lifetime since that happened. There has been recognition in the North since 2004. The campaign has been going on for many years.

I commend the work of the Irish Deaf Society, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and the Seanad, which passed Second Stage of legislation on recognition recently. It is the culmination of a long campaign. It was a very substantial and widespread campaign. I was actually canvassed on it during the general election campaign. Clearly, the community on the ground was aware of the matter and it was lobbying on it. This is evidenced by the support of the 40 local authorities who supported this motion.

The 5,000 people who use Irish Sign Language daily and the hearing people who use it regularly deserve so much more than what they have received in recent years. It is a question of respect, access and equality. Having learned about the importance of Irish Sign Language, I am astonished by the extent to which the deaf community has been disadvantaged by the lack of recognition, particularly regarding rights before the law and the right to access to justice. It is absolutely extraordinary that, aside from criminal hearings, there is no automatic right to an interpreter in Irish Sign Language. An interpreter may be provided in practice but the fact that there is no legal entitlement is absolutely extraordinary. The lack of a register of interpreters is incredible, as is the lack of teachers in the language. This is about much more than legal entitlements, although they comprise a very important part. It is a matter of dignity and respect.

7 o’clock

Language has different nuances in terms of humour, tone, attitude and culture. No matter what language one speaks, it is an intrinsic part of our identity. The Irish language is certainly an intrinsic part of who I am. The same is likely to be the case for those who use Irish Sign Language in that it is a central part of their identity. For the deaf community and all users of Irish Sign Language, recognising it will be a mark of respect, esteem and equality before the law and in society.

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