Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that many interpreters working for the gardaí have no formal qualifications; the steps that are being taken to ensure interpreters have appropriate qualifications and are of a suitable level of ability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28357/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of interpretation for the Garda Síochána is primarily an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that a range of interpretation services is available to the Force in accordance with contracts that have been put in place. These services operate where persons have been detained and in other circumstances, as required, and the Commissioner has reported that the current interpretation arrangements are working well.

The Garda authorities have structured their contracts to ensure that persons carrying out interpretation work will be qualified to a high level. The Commissioner is aware that as things currently stand there are no national standards for the provision of interpretation services and he has indicated that he would support the adoption of such standards.