Written answers

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Irish Language Issues

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is concerned about the resignation of the language commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53617/13]

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I was informed by An Coimisinéir Teanga, Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, on 4 December that he had written to the President regarding his decision to resign in February 2014, after ten years in the post and two years before his term of office expires in February 2016. An Coimisinéir Teanga made a public announcement to that effect later that day at a hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions in the context of a discussion of his annual report for 2012. I have expressed my appreciation to An Coimisinéir Teanga, both personally and publicly, for his achievements during his time in office. As the first Coimisinéir Teanga, he established the office with a sense of vision and purpose, and the high esteem in which he is held by the Irish language and Gaeltacht community is well earned. I regret that An Coimisinéir Teanga has decided not to complete his term of office but I respect his decision in the matter.

The process of selecting a new Coimisinéir Teanga will commence shortly and the matter will be brought to Government in due course. Under section 20(3) of the Official Languages Act, the appointment of An Coimisinéir Teanga is made by the President on the advice of the Government, following a resolution passed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireann recommending the appointment of the person.

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