Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government acknowledges the importance of the Irish language as the first language of the State, as a living language and as a vital component of the heritage of this island. It commits to increasing the visibility of our native language and its daily use in the community and to a series of measures which will help to achieve these objectives. The Minister, Deputy Martin, and I are working together to achieve these important objectives.

These measures will build on existing legislation, policies and schemes in place to support the language. In relation to the specific matter raised by the Deputy, the primary objective the Official Languages Act 2003 is to ensure the improved provision of public services through the Irish language. The Act provides for the delivery of public services in Irish in three ways. These are through provisions of the Act, which are applicable to all public bodies under the Act, through regulations made by the Minister, which again are applicable to all public bodies under the Act, and through language schemes which are agreed with individual public bodies and which provide for an increase over time in the number and standard of services provided in Irish by these individual public bodies.

I welcome the Deputy’s interest in strengthening the Irish language. As the Deputy is aware, a Bill is currently before the House with a view to strengthening the 2003 Act. The Minister, Deputy Martin, and I are of the same mind that this Bill, and the amendments therein, are very important to the Irish language and that they will help to strengthen the Irish language in the State system so that high quality Irish language services will be available to the Irish speaking and Gaeltacht communities.

In relation to the specific amendment raised in the question, the measure suggested is covered by the existing provisions of SI No. 391 of 2008. Section 7(1) of this regulation provides that, in respect of stationery, the text in the Irish language shall appear first while, in respect of signage, excluding road signage which does not come within the scope of the Act, the text in the Irish language shall also appear first.

I hope this clarifies the matter. We will work constructively with every party and Member of the House. Yesterday, I spoke to the Deputy's party colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, about trying to progress the official languages Bill through the House, and amendments will arise on strengthening the Bill from all Members and we will work constructively in this regard to get it right.

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