What about the 83%?

We re-published a letter response to an article by Sunday Times correspondent, Brenda Power recently, Coimisinéir not a child of Celtic Tiger! This Sunday a response to the letter has been published from a gentleman in Limerick.

We felt moved to write a response but the letter section was not published in last Sunday's edition- probably due to the Christmas holidays. The basic thoughts in our letter are below!

I fear that Mr Hugh O'Neill ("Outnumbered", 22/12/2013) misread my letter. I did not claim that 6000 people from the Gaeltacht had written complaints to the Commissionéir. Our letter did not claim that the 4.5million outside the Gaeltacht did not have language rights. Indeed had he interpreted the letter correctly he would have realised that almost 83% of the complaints received by the Coimisinéir's office were from outside the Gaeltacht. I do not know how he knows that the total number of Polish Speakers exceeds the total population of the Gaeltacht.  The Polish Language itself is, I understand, strong, and used extensively, even by their Government Departments, in their noble homeland. A situation, sadly, not replicated in the homeland of the Irish Language. Yours etc

I have since learned that the Polish language is used by about 40 million people in Poland and in some of the adjacent countries. And that despite being subsumed and dissolved as a political entity throughout the 19th and early 20th century. 
Niech żyje język polski!
Niech żyje język irlandzki!

Long story on a short survey!

On the third of December the Coimisinéir Teanga announced that he was resigning because he was being supported by the government "...my heartfelt belief is, in view of the information I have presented to you today, that there is little else I can personally achieve in that timeframe in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities. It is therefore with regret that I announce that I have decided to resign from my position as Coimisinéir Teanga on 23rd February next..." (Translation of his statement to an Oireachtas Committee 3/12/2013)

An alt seo as Gaeilge

There is so much misunderstanding out there that we decided to organise a simple short survey. I really was an experiment as we had never tried such a thing before. It is important to understand that we have no experience in this so it is hardly fair to regard it as a scientific statistical exercise.

As one of the participants remarked "Níl an tsuirbhé seo sách cuimsitheach le tuairimí reatha an phobail a mheas ó thaobh cearta teanga de. Ba cheart daoibh ceann eile a dhéanamh san Athbhliain." (This survey is not comprehensive enough to assess the current opinion of the public on language rights. Ye should do another one in the new year!) Of course he or was correct and we may consider doing this.

Publicity!
It was publicised in facebook, twitter and LinkedIn on the 9th December 2013 and from this more than 125 people answered the questions. A mention and the URL were also placed in a response to an article in The Journal.ie. We understand that there ar weaknesses in this survey but nonetheless the results are interesting and perhaps not that different from professional surveys on attitudes to the language.

Ceist 1: The resignation of the Choimisinéara Teanga!
The Coimisinéir Teanga announced his resignation recently stating that his office was not being supported by the Government. Do you agree with his decision?

82% agreed with his decision.lena chinneadh. 12% disagreed and 6% hadn't a clue!.

Ceist 2: Confidence in the Coimisinéir Teanga

Have you confidence in the Coimisinéir Teanga?

92% of the participents express confidence in him while 8% did not!

Ceist 3: Government policy!
Are you happy with the Irish Language policy of this Goverenment?

4% expressed satisfaction while 81% were not. Interestingly 15% of the respondents asked "What policy?"

Ceist 4: The cost of the Coimisinéir's office!
The answers here are interesting. The show that treality and perception among our participents do not always concur .

When the question was put, "How much does the Coimisinéir Teanga's Office cost?" they were invited to "Make an educated guess!)" there were startling differences in the answers. We knew that not everyone would have the exact figures which is whay we asked for an educated guess, . Some were unwilling to venture a response (7%). One (a reader of the Sindo?) said, "Too much!" and another stated, "Ní féidir a luach a thomhas ar airgead - ní mór don oifig a bheith ann, mar sin níl plé faoi chostais ina chuidiú!" (The value cannot be measured in money, the office must be there thus there should be now question of how much it costs!!)

These are the results:

"A budget of €650,000 was provided for my Office for 2012 and €606,784 of that money was 
drawn down." (Annual Report 2012!)

Ceist 5: Complaints from the Gaeltacht!!

Also interesting were the results from the question: "What percentage of complaints to the C.T. are from the Gaeltacht?" A choice was given to participents and only 21% knew the correct figure!

"Complaints … 6,089 up to 30 Samhain 2013, (28% from the Gaeltacht)." Ráiteas an Choimisinéara ós chomhair Coiste Oireachtais. 3 Dec 2013 

Ceist 6: Opinions

This was the are where participents were given the opportunity to express their opinions, whatever they were. Only fifty one did so, most not surprisingly in Iris but a few in English. We have not edited or translated them.  Every view point is expressed from "Good riddance!" go "Coinnigh an dóchas!" (Keep up te hope!)

Do you wish to say anything else?

is náireach an rud é gir mhothaigh sé go raibh air éirí as - lipservice á thabhairt ag an Rialtas don Ghaeilge

Ní bhíonn aon rud suntasach le tuairisciú ag an aire shóisearach nuair a chuirtear ceisteanna air faoi dhul chinn cinn... "Tógann sé am.." "Tá reachtaíocht le foilsiú amach anseo.." "Táimid ag obair air.." Leisce, easpa foirne, easpa acmhainní ó thaobh an rialtais, measaim... Maidir leis an bpobal - An bhfuil fíor-eileamh ann ar sheirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge? Déanann cuid againn iarracht, ach is beag an slua sinn, de réir cosúlachta. Caithfidh muid an fód a sheasamh agus cruthú go bhfuilimid ann. Caithfidh muid an fhreagracht a ghlacadh orainn féin, seachas bheith ag brath go síoraí ar oifig an choimisinéara

The cost of the office is offset by tourists visiting Ireland to study Irish and spending money into the Economy, especially in western areas!

Ta dioma orm I ndiadh an cinneadh ach tuigim me e

I nÉireann amháin ...

Tá cearta daonna ag lucht labhartha na Gaeilge ach ní ghéileann an stat go fírinneach go bhfuil na cearta sin ann.

Tá scrios á dhéanamh ag an rialtas seo ar an Ghaeilge.

Tá an rialtas seo ag plúchadh Na teangan

Ba léir ón chéad lá go mbeadh an rialtas seo go dona don Ghaeilge, nach é an chéad rud a rinne siad deireadh a chur leis an ngá na dlíthe a fhoilsiú sa dá theanga ag an am chéanna? Ina dhéidh sin is uile, bhí beagnach gach fadhb a luaigh an Cuirreánach ann nuair a bhí Ó Cuív fós ina Aire. Cibé tacaíocht bheag a fuair an Ghaeilge ón rialtas FFach, d'imigh sí le sruth nuair a thit an tóin as an gheilleagar.

Coinnigh an dóchas.

Tá mé eachtrannach. Fhoghlaim mé an Ghaeilge. Ach nach bhfuil an scéal seo ag cabhrú.

Caithfear an deannach a shéideadh de na polasaithe...ní hionann briathar agus beart.

Sílim gur fearr dúinn ann ná as é ach tuigim cad chuige a ndearna sé a chinneadh. Agus táim chóir a bheith buartha caidé bheidh in ann dúinn tar éis an méid atá feicthe agam ón Taoiseach, ón Leas-Aire Dinny McGinley agus ón Aire Oideachais Ruairí Quinn. Ní amháin go bhfuil siad ag díol an tír leis na comhlachtaí ilnáisiúnta ach tá siad ag marú na teanga agus ag déanamh 'Airstrip 2' amhail is dá mbeadh fís George Orwell a chomhlíonadh acu. Ní Éire Shaor go hÉirinn Gaelach!

Good riddance!!!

Tá Sé in am againn dul i mbun agóide

Bhí sé chomh maith an Straitéis 20 Bliain a chur sa tine mar nach bhfuil moltaí ón Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ann. Níl ann uilig ach cur i gcéill agus is mór an náire iad O Cuiv agus Dinny nach raibh in ann cinneadh ciallmhar a dhéanamh maidir le teorainneacha na Gaeltachta. Níltear ach ag breathnú amach do riachtanais na bhfoghlaimeoirí. Tá gach duine ag tabhairt suas ar an nGaeltacht.

Ní chuireann iontas Orm nach bhfuil morán tacaíocht a ar fáil ón Rialtas

Tabhair ar ais an Coimisinéir! Agus cuir polasaí ceart earcaíochta i bhfeidhm láithreach mar chomhartha dea-thola.

feall eile

Níl faoi láthair

Fair play don Chuirreánach, ach tá faitíos orm go dtiocfaidh leibide eicínt i gcomharbacht air.

Scannal amach 's amach go raibh ar dhuine chomh cumasach, ciallmhar le Seán Ó Cuirreáin seasamh siar. Mo náire an rialtas

Níl an tsuirbhé seo sách cuimsitheach le tuairimí reatha an phobail a mheas ó thaobh cearta teanga de. Ba cheart daoibh ceann eile a dhéanamh san Athbhliain.

Teaching a second language isn't rocket science. People shouldn't leave school unable to speak it, that's a ridiculous situation. Teaching and exams aren't being done according to best international practice. If that was changed then kids would come out of school speaking Irish, and wouldn't have a problem providing a service tré Ghaeilge. Those internationally accepted ways of teaching 2nd languages could also be used to upskill older people, who could then also provide a service in Irish easily. The data is out there, but it's being ignored. Talk to the people in TEG, NUI Maynooth.

Cé nach maith liom Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla mar go bhfuil an iomarca béime ann ar mhaorláthas gan úsáíd, is cinnte go bhfuil dualgas ar an Stat é a chur i bhfeidhm. Ní maith liom Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 ach an oiread mar gheall ar an sceannairt a rinne sé ar an nGaeltacht, ach creidim go gcaithfidh an Rialtas bheith macánta mar gheall ar an nGaeilge agus an nGaeltacht seaachas bheith de shíor ag labhairt an 'cúpla focal' agus ansan ag cur scian sa teanga ar chúπ téarmaí.

Dún an doras i do dhiaidh!!

Níl, go raibh maith agat.

faic

Níl barúil agam fá na ceisteanna a bhaineann le costas nó le céadatain. Tâ drochbhail ar an teanga istigh sa Ghaeltacht agus taobh amuigh di - ar fud na tíre. Níl meas madaidh ag na meáin ná ag oifigigh an rialtais ar an teanga ná orainne, Gaeilgeoirí. Tá fearg agus díomá orm mar shaoránach de chuid na tíre seo mar gheall air seo. Éire ghallda an sprioc atá acu de réir chosúlachta.

Níl.

Níl an fhreagairt ar eolas agam do cheist a 5. Fear iontach onórach é Seán - rinne sé an rud ceart le haird a tharraingt ar an scéal.

Suas an gealge !

Tá neamh-suim níos contúirtí ná ain-suim. Ar a laghad tá gráin oscailte le sonrú ag an ain-suim!

Bhí an ceart ag gCoimisinéar éirí as Agus gan tacú leis an cur i gcéill a thuilleadh. Táim tinn tuirseach den chur i gcéill i leith na teanga. Ní caitheamh aimsir í an Ghaeilge.

Tá an praiseach ar fuaid na mias ag an Rialtas Gallda seo ó thaobh na Gaeilge de.

ní féidir a luach a thomhas ar airgead - ní mór don oifig a bheith ann, mar sin níl plé faoi chostais ina chuidiú. Gaeilgeoirí a líonfaidh isteach é seo, meas-tú an bhféadfaí an Ghaeilge a chur ar dtús sa chéad cheann eile? é an-deacair teacht ar an Ghaeilge agus é seo á dhéanamh ar an ghuthán póca!

Dhein a oifig idirghabháil ar mo shon chun seirbhís ghaeilge a fháil ó na coimis. ioncaim. D'oibrigh sé.

Níl

Gaeilge abú

Meas ollmhór agam ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga. Is trua liom go bhfuil sé tagtha chuige seo. Ní fheicim go mbeidh aon athrú suntasach dearfach déanta leis an Rialtas reatha.

Fear cróga misniúil is ea Seán Ó Cuirreáin, fear prionsabáilte. Tá sé tar éis leas na teanga a dhéanamh lena chinneadh, cé gur rud é a ghoilleann orainn ar fad. Tá sé in am dúiseacht agus corraí.

Is trua gur éirigh sé as ach tuigim dó. Fear ionraic cumasach díograiseach é Seán Ó Cuirreáin agus ghoill easpa toile agus gníomhaíochta an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge agus cearta teanga phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge go mór air.

Go mbíonn feidhmeanaigh an stáit frith-gaelach sa lá inniu mar a raibh siad go deo.

Níl inti ach teanga, níor chóir níos mó ná sin a chur uirthi. Ní faoin rialtas amháin atá sé an teanga a bheathú.

Muna bhfuil sé ann, beidh an rialtas iontach sasta. Ní bheidh siad freagrach. D'eist mé le Dinny ar R na G ar maidin. Tá náire orthú roimh an Gaeilge.

Níl

Tá an Rialtas ag sárú an dlí agus an Bhunreacht.

Teastaíonn CT le cinntiú nach dtitfidh an Ghaeilge i léig.

Dá dtarlódh sé seo do Emily O Reilly, An Ombudsman , bheadh eirí amach ann . Ba cheart go mbeadh náire ar an rialtas seo leis an chaoi ina bhfuil siad ag caitheamh le muintir na Gaeltachta & daoine ina bhfuil suim acu an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus scríobh.

Coimisinéir not a child of Celtic Tiger!

Sometimes we read articles that ire us in the newspapers. An short article (see picture below) by columnist Brenda Power in the Irish edition of the Sunday Times, (8th December 2013) got to this blogger and he wrote a response which, mirabile dictu, made it past the editor with very few changes.

This is the letter as originally written:  

Sir,

Brenda Power, Sunday Times Ireland, 8/12/2013

I was surprised at Brenda Power's short item, "That's a failure in any language!" in last Sunday's edition. It displayed quite surprising ignorance.

It said that the the post of Coimisinéir Teanga was a child of the Celtic Tiger, implying that it was throwing money away. Maybe it was but last year the budget for his office was a mere €600,000, hardly an extravagance. It would not pay many of our public representatives!

His appointment by the President of Ireland was to a position which was to see that state agencies themselves ensured the implementation of their obligations. These, let us not forget, are obligations under the constitution and under laws as enacted by the houses of the Oireachtas.

He has resigned not so mucht because the fulfilment of these legal obligations has failed, but rather because they have not been implemented.

That there are people in Ireland who wish to speak Irish, both in the Gaeltacht and in urban areas, is not in doubt. That they have rights in this regard too is not in doubt. This right is asserted both in the Constitution and also in the unanimously enacted Official Languages Act in 2003. The fact that over 6000 people found it necessary to use the services of his office - 28% from the Gaeltacht - surely is significant. Indeed in at least one case a citizen of this state was handcuffed and hauled off to a police station for asserting this constitutional right!  Presumable these people already have a love of the language which has hardly been fostered by order indeed the non-implimentation of these laws or orders is surely inimicable to this love.

Ms Power want's to "dump" this "pointless quango." To whom does she recommend these 6000 go when this office is abolished as she wishes.

Yours etc

See further correspondance in response to this letter at: What about the 83%? (30/12/2013)

See also our piece: Waiting for eggs for omelettes since 1892! written after the announcement by Seán Ó Cuirreáin of his resignation as Coimisinéir. This includes a full translation in English of his address to a Joint Oireachtas Committee at which he made the announcment!

This article in The Examiner, gives an end-of-year view following on the resignation of Seán Ó Cuirreáin - The surprising people speaking up for Irish! (31/1/2013). The editorial in the Irish Times, "The newspaper of record" is also a sharp defence of the words of the Coimisinéir, "Fudge Farce and Falsehood!" The Government has made no response to the resignation other than a short statement (issued initially in English only) thanking him for his service and the promise that a new Coimisinéir will be appointed.

Other letters have been written in English to the English language newspapers, not all of which have made it past the editorial eye! Two of these have been penned by the ever-thoughtful Aonghus Ó hAlmhain in his regular blog "Smaointe fánacha Aonghus!" (Tr: Aonghus's stray thoughts!). This contribution "Gaeilgeoirí, Gaeltacht agus Gearáin"*  includes two considered pieces in English which he had written and which were not published.

*The term "Gaeilgeoirí" is one which has different meanings or connotations depending on where one lives or where it is used. In the Gaeltacht it is a term used for the Irish students who flock in their thousands in the Summer. It is sometimes used derogatively especially in the hostile pens of certain loud journalists and then elsewhere used as a hand catch all phrase to include all Irish speakers. It can be translated to mean "Speakers of Irish" which is what it means in Aonghus's article. "Gaeltacht" meaning "Irish speaking Area) hardly needs to be translated. "Gearáin" means "Complaints."

Waiting for eggs for omelettes since 1892!

"Fudge, farce, falshood!" Editorial Irish Times 9/12/2013
What’s the future for the Irish language and do politicians want to preserve it? (Seán Mag Leannáin, The Journal.ie, 12/12/2013)
This Government has failed the Irish language! (Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, 12/12/2013)
Not Minding Our Language (An Spailpín Fánach, 20/12/2013)

"As we begin to regain our economic sovereignty, it would be a travesty if we were to lose our linguistic sovereignty – a cornerstone of our cultural identity, heritage and soul as a nation. I believe this to be a clear and present danger."

Less than a month ago this blog expressed its disillusionment‎ with the failures and indeed inimical policies towards what Bunracht na hÉireann calls the national language in an article entitled "Now we know the state of play!" It referred to various failures stemming back to at least 1928 and possibly before then. One of the points made is one made as far back as 25th February 1892 by a man who became the first president of Ireland, who stated in his address, The Necessity for De-Anglicising Ireland,  "..that Irish-speaking schoolmasters, petty sessions clerks, and even magistrates be appointed in Irish-speaking districts."  

Seán Ó Cuirreáin

When that item was written it was hardly thought that the devastating decision announced yesterday would or could happen. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, an upright, honest, thorough, capable, independent and courteous ombudsman would find it necessary to resign in order to draw attention to the situation. "Never before have I seen in over 30 years’ experience - as a journalist or language commissioner - morale and confidence so low. Despite the enormous goodwill of the vast majority of the people of this country, the language continues to drift further to the margins of society including within much of the public sector; bringing it back to the mainstream is no simple procedure.....I fear that the exercise (Government's intentions in a long delayed new Language Act) will be seen as a fudge, a farce or a falsehood."

He is the first Ombudsman to resign on a matter of principle in Ireland, and maybe in Europe, since the foundation of the state.

The last straw?
It is thought that the last stray that led Seán Ó Cuirreáin to this uncharacteristic action was the decision not only not to action his uncontested judgement on the system of recruitment in the Civil Service but to replace it with an inferior system.  "The old system – of bonus marks – failed because it was never properly implemented. I firmly believe that the new system, which I consider to be ill-conceived, will also fail and that consequently the Irish language will be continue to be marginalised in public administration. For example, research we have to hand using official figures from the Department of Education and Skills suggests that if the new system were to be fully implemented in the most positive way, it would take in the region of 28 years to raise the current level of fluency in Irish in that department from 1½% to 3%."

Pic: The Guardian

The fact that the State does not, by and large, use Irish in dealing with Gaeltacht communities or ensure an adequate Irish language capacity in public administration is a source of anguish to him. With a policy that will ensure such a slight increase in 28 years how can the vision of Douglas Hyde be met, "Irish-speaking schoolmasters, petty sessions clerks, magistrates..." The Coimisinéir himself responded to a query from one of the public representatives by quoting Chelsea's Jose Mourinho's famous comment -  "No eggs, no omelette!"

Ironies
There were several ironies marking this momentous decision. Firstly the session of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions was held in the only Committee room with simultaneous translation facilities. This system failed which led to suspensions and delays as the chairman of the Committee appeared not be able to conduct business in Irish. Public representatives appeared not to be fully aware of the brief quoting many of the myths in the public mind including the cost factor. The Fine Gael member, Charlie Flanagan TD, in particular displayed appalling ignorance not only of the law but also of the responsibilities of the Coimisinéir Teanga. Nevertheless the Coimisinéir patiently responded to all questions with courtesy. For this writer also it was the first time he had heard the Fianna Fáil Gaeltacht representative, Michael Kitt TD speak on his brief.

English only!
His statement on this resignation was published on-line in English only which is strange considering his position and the subject matter. The Minister of State at the Department of the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, also issued a statement which was only on-line in English until early afternoon when an Irish version was published after a query was made! (All releases made by the political parties were only available on line in English - with the honourable exception of that by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who routinely and uniquely produces release in both Irish and English - which speaks volumes for the integrity of the support of the  body politic as a whole!)

Translation of remarks made by the President of Ireland at a Reception to honour the Resigning Coimisinéir Teanga: "...one of the most courteous people I have ever met..." (5/3/2014)

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn told the Dáil yesterday - in English as incredibly the Minister in charge of that Department is unable to speak or understand the National Language - that he had been assured by his colleague Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny McGinley “who has direct responsibility in this area that these criticisms by the commissioner are not accepted and that in due course, when his resignation takes effect, a new commissioner will be appointed.” Presumably he thinks the Coimisinéir is deluded and imagining things or maybe his reports and findings are the "exercise in cynicism and deception" that the Coimisinéir has felt might be a judgement of an observer on the non-activity of governments since 1928. (Speech in Irish 9/3/2013)

Actual facts!
Two facts can be asserted with certainty.  No expert, recognised or otherwise, in language planning has been produced to uphold the policy of this Government in the matter. The entire Irish language community has no confidence in this Government or in this Minister.

They agree without exception with the statement of the Coimisinéir:

No cogent or rational argument contrary to this statement has been made other than "these criticisms by the commissioner are not accepted!"

A translation of the Coimisinéir's statement to the Committee is below: (The original as delivered is here!)

Chairman, I would like to thank the Joint Committee for your invitation to appear before you today. My Office was established by legislation nearly 10 years ago with three distinct statutory functions: to provide an ombudsman service; to act as compliance agency in relation to state services through Irish; and to provide advice on language rights and obligations. Our Annual Report for 2012 was provided to the Minister for State for the Gaeltacht for laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 31st January 2013 and subsequently published on 12th March last. In general, 2012 was not a vintage year for the promotion of the Irish language in the public sector, and for every one step forward there appeared to have been two steps backwards. Ombudsman role In relation to our role as an ombudsman service, we dealt last year with 756 cases of difficulties or problems with state services through Irish – the largest number of complaints from the public to the Office since its establishment. This represented an increase of 3% on the number of cases in the previous year. The vast majority of cases were resolved by means of informal negotiations with the relevant state bodies or by providing advice to the complainant. A total of 13 formal investigations were commenced during 2012. Findings of breaches of individual elements of language legislation were made against a mix of public bodies including An Garda Síochána and 3 Government Departments. Compliance agency As regards functioning as a compliance agency, it is with regret that I report that three quarters of language schemes ‒ statutory language plans ‒ agreed by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht with various state bodies had expired without renewal by the end of 2012 with a quarter of them out of date for three years or more. In 10 other cases, more than 6 years have elapsed since the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht requested state bodies to prepare draft language schemes but they remain to be agreed. The failure to promote this element of language legislation in a meaningful way has been identified by the independent audit committee in my Office as a significant risk. Such language schemes were to be the fundamental pillars of the legislation on which an increase in quantity and quality of services through Irish were to be based. A dangerous precedent emerged for the first time in 2012 where a language scheme was amended to cancel a previously confirmed statutory obligation which would have cost little and would have been relatively simple to implement. Rather than ensuring the implementation of the fairly innocuous obligation – that the “Fit for viewing” section of video/ DVD labels supplied by the Irish Film Classification Office be produced in bilingual format – a complaint from a member of the public prompted the eventual cancellation of the statutory commitment when the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht acceded to a request from the Department of Justice and Equality to have the commitment deleted from the scheme. Current year The current year has seen a limited increase in the quantity of language schemes – 15 have been confirmed to date, yet 20 have expired in the same timeframe – but I am more concerned by the quality of some of those schemes. In too many instances the provision of services through Irish is conditional on “available resources”, which suggests that such services may be perceived as optional extras rather than fundamental rights. In one such scheme, commitment to the provision of services through Irish, detailed over 3 pages, has the condition ‘subject to available resources’ listed 11 times. In another scheme, a commitment to issue Irish versions of a limited category of press releases has the footnote that this will not require the Irish and English versions to be issued simultaneously: putting such a commitment on a statutory basis is an affront to the intelligence of any journalist working through Irish. Would it not be an unfortunate and cynical practice if confirming language schemes were to become a box-ticking exercise rather than an effective mechanism for developing state services through Irish? I have been told by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht that it is to redouble its efforts in relation to language schemes but I am concerned that with the damage already caused and the lack of confidence in the system, that it may prove impossible to salvage it now. An Garda Síochána I am glad to report that progress has been made by the management of An Garda Síochána in the provision of Garda services through Irish on foot of a complaint to my Office. A language rights awareness campaign is being promoted by senior management following an investigation into an incident in Dublin where a young man, who attempted to conduct his business through Irish when stopped by Gardaí in relation to a minor road traffic matter, found himself arrested and escorted in handcuffs to a Garda station where he was detained until a Garda was found who could deal with him through Irish. An Garda Síochána had failed in this instance to comply with a statutory commitment which recognises the right of the public to conduct business with the force in either official language, Irish or English. In dealing with this case I noted an attitude, notwithstanding the constitutional status of Irish, that Irish speakers should be dealt with as if they were speakers of a foreign language. The discourse with Garda members involved in the incident placed “using Irish” and “dealing with foreign nationals” in the same space which might give rise to concern about how both groups were perceived. The person detained in the case was not involved in an accident nor were there any allegations made concerning speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol. I was struck by the fact that Gardaí who had received their education within this country’s schools system and had finished their training in Templemore some short years previously had insufficient command of Irish to ask a driver when stopped at the roadside “Cad is ainm duit?” or to seek his address through Irish. No adequate support system was in place to facilitate their interaction with a member of the public who sought in this situation to conduct his business through Irish. However, I welcome the positive attitude of the Garda Commissioner and senior management to the implementation of the recommendations I made on foot of this case and hope that the systematic change being introduced will prevent the occurrence of similar incidents. An obligation confirmed in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 that only members fluent in Irish should be stationed in Gaeltacht areas is also receiving more focussed attention from Garda management following a complaint detailed in a previous report about the absence of Gardaí with Irish in Gaoth Dobhair, a heartland of the Donegal Gaeltacht. While the matter is not yet fully resolved, I am glad to report that the Garda Commissioner has now confirmed that, in order to facilitate compliance with the requirement of the Garda Síochána Act, future recruitment to the organisation will see a percentage (up to 10%) of places reserved specifically for Irish speakers who will subsequently be attached to Gaeltacht stations for a period of up to 5 years. This should ensure in a number of years that 100% of Gaeltacht Gardaí are fluent Irish speakers. Competence in Irish In general, the absence of staff with competence in both official languages of the State remains one of the main factors restricting state bodies in their delivery of services to the public in Irish as well as in English. The system of awarding bonus marks for competence in both Irish and English at recruitment and promotional competitions in the Civil Service which replaced ‘compulsory Irish’ in 1975 is currently being replaced by a new system on a pilot basis. The old system – of bonus marks – failed because it was never properly implemented. I firmly believe that the new system, which I consider to be ill-conceived, will also fail and that consequently the Irish language will be continue to be marginalised in public administration. For example, research we have to hand using official figures from the Department of Education and Skills suggests that if the new system were to be fully implemented in the most positive way, it would take in the region of 28 years to raise the current level of fluency in Irish in that department from 1½% to 3%. I would appeal today to the authorities to revisit the proposed system in a meaningful way when the Official Languages Act is being reviewed and amended. Gaeltacht I have also suggested that in amending the Act a clear provision should be added requiring the staff members of all state agencies assigned to providing services to Gaeltacht communities to be fluent in Irish without terms or conditions applying. Research by my Office recently revealed that such a statutory provision was in fact enacted in 1928 but its introduction was regularly postponed by statutory instruments on 54 occasions until it was quietly shelved in 1966. It is time to deal with this issue for once and for all: requiring the people of the Gaeltacht to conduct their business in English with state agencies flies in the face of any policy which suggests that the survival of the Gaeltacht is on the State’s agenda. The idea of continuously ‘kicking the can down the road’ on this matter, as has been the norm for decades, is no longer an option. Reports to both Houses In common with other ombudsman services, I am empowered to make findings and recommendations following an investigation. Such findings may be appealed to the High Court on a point of law. However, if findings or recommendations are not appealed but are nevertheless not implemented, I am required to report such failure to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I have done this on 3 occasions in the past and I thank this Joint Committee for the follow-up work it has undertaken with the state bodies involved. I regret to say that I have recently laid 3 further reports before both Houses in cases where the state bodies in question did not appeal my findings to the High Court but subsequently failed to implement the findings. The organisations involved are Iarnród Éireann, Westmeath County Council and the Office of Public Works. It falls to the House of the Oireachtas to take whatever action they deem appropriate, should they wish, in these cases. Review While a review of the Official Languages Act was announced in November 2011 – more than two years ago – and a substantial public consultation process ensued which ended in January 2012, little or nothing has been heard publicly of the results of that process since then. This vacuum simply has not been helpful. A Government decision was made in November 2011 to merge the functions of my Office with the Office of the Ombudsman as part of the Public Service Reform Plan. This decision was made without reference to me or to the then Ombudsman. No details are available publicly of the proposed arrangement or how it is thought it ought to work and I would be concerned about the future viability of the Office itself, including the implications for its staffing. The Office is one of the smallest agencies of the State – with a budget smaller even than the Irish secret service! We have a current staff level of 4.4 civil servants. We have 3 unfilled vacancies at present and our budget has shrunk by 45% since 2008. The Office was never given adequate resources to fully perform its statutory obligations in a satisfactory manner. Conclusion For those generally involved with the protection or promotion of the Irish language, either professionally or voluntarily, we are in a time of great uncertainty. Never before have I seen in over 30 years’ experience - as a journalist or language commissioner - morale and confidence so low. Despite the enormous goodwill of the vast majority of the people of this country, the language continues to drift further to the margins of society including within much of the public sector; bringing it back to the mainstream is no simple procedure. An essential first step would require that in amending the Official Languages Act as part of the programme for Government, that a clear provision be made to ensure that state employees serving the Gaeltacht communities are Irish speaking without question or conditions – forcing native Irish speakers to use English in dealing with the agencies of the State must not be allowed to continue. And in parallel, it is essential that the issue of the Irish language in recruitment and promotion in the Civil and Public Service in general be revisited immediately – there is absolutely no way that the most recent proposal in relation to the Civil Service will work. If those two elements – the use of Irish in dealing with Gaeltacht communities and ensuring an adequate Irish language capacity in public administration – are not addressed by the State when the legislation is being amended, I fear that the exercise will be seen as a fudge, a farce or a falsehood. As we begin to regain our economic sovereignty, it would be a travesty if we were to lose our linguistic sovereignty – a cornerstone of our cultural identity, heritage and soul as a nation. I believe this to be a clear and present danger. By the end of February next I will have held the position of Coimisinéir Teanga for 10 years. Although my term of office runs for a further 2 years my heartfelt belief is, in view of the information I have presented to you today, that there is little else I can personally achieve in that timeframe in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities. It is therefore with regret that I announce that I have decided to resign from my position as Coimisinéir Teanga on 23rd February next. I have informed the President of Ireland of this decision today as required by legislation. I would like at this stage to thank everyone who has helped me during the years in which I have held this position – in particular the small, dedicated team of staff in my Office. I thank all of those in politics and in the state sector in general who supported our work. I appreciate the support we received from the media, particularly from Irish language journalists, from Gaeltacht and Irish language organisations, from academia, from those who provided advice either professionally or voluntarily, from other language commissioners throughout the world, from civil and public servants, friends and many other who have helped in so many ways. But above all, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the people of the Gaeltacht and to Irish speakers in general for the confidence they placed in me and in my office’s staff over the past 10 years. I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the members of the Joint Committee for your attention today. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Another Garda failure As we published this, news came in of another incident where a person was refused service in Irish by the Garda Síochána. A report has just been published by the Irish news service An Tuairisceoir on a case before a Dublin court yesterday (5/12/2013)

Functional bilinguals required!

'Go dtabharfaidh an tAire Caiteachas Poiblí, míniú ar cén bhunús taighde nó sochtheangeolaíoch atá leis an gcinneadh atá glactha ag an Rialtas maidir le cumas na Gaeilge ó thaobh earcaíocht sa Státseirbhís a athrú agus cén chaoi a dtacaíonn sé seo leis an Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge a chuir chun cinn?' (Our translation: That the Minister for Public Expenditure outline the basis in research or sociolinguistic theory for the Government's decision to change the criteria in relation to proficiency in the Irish language for recruitment into the public and civil service and how this supports the Governments 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language?) 

This a question put by Seanadóir Trevor Ó Clochartaigh on Wednesday 6th November seeking, from the Minister for Public Expendiature, clarification or an explanation of the decision made by the Government the previous week as mentioned in our blog, Now we know the state of play!

See the notice of the question on the Business of Seanad for the day (Second Notice). See also link to debate at bottom of page!

The Minister responded in a written reply entirely in English, and not very careful English at that. He switches between first and third person in his statement. The fact that he responds to a question posted in Irish in one of the Houses of the Oireachtas  says far more than anything else the attitude of this Government to our language and those who wish to exercise their right to use it in their own country. Indeed it is an insult, calculated, not only to Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh but also to the Seanad itself and to the historic Irish nation!

He refers, somewhat disingenuously, to the fact that the previous system was "not, in practice, achieving its policy objective," and "demonstrably didn't achieve the required policy outcome!" He does not refer to the fact that the system as originally envisaged was never fully complied with. A report on this was laid before the Oireachtas during 2011. Details of laying this report appears at the bottom of this page.

The relevant Oireachtas committee has not reported on their own deliberations on this matter so the Government's decision pre-empts the Oireachtas. Hardly a sign of respect for the houses of the Oireachtas from the administration.

This is the unadulterated text of the Minister's response:

Irish Language Proficiency in the Civil Service 6th November 2013 Adjournment Debate The policy of awarding bonus marks for Irish language proficiency in civil service competitions was introduced following the abolition of compulsory Irish in the 1970s. (See our blog "Richie Ryan decision made language marginal" 4/2/2011). In developing pragmatic policies in support of Irish language proficiency to replace the existing legacy policy, I was guided by a public policy imperative to develop a coherent set of measures that support service delivery through Irish, in the 21st century. The Minister! In formulating the new policy the Minister (sic) was conscious that the bonus marks scheme was not, in practice, achieving its policy objective. The uptake of the scheme was low and those awarded bonus marks were not being utilised to provide services through Irish. The Minister's focus since taking office is about driving change and reform across the public service to make it high performing and more "fit for purpose". In this context, we are rolling out more strategic workforce planning policies to ensure that the right peopole, are in the right place, to deliver effective policy initiatives and to support efficient service delivery. Within this overarching policy, Irish language proficiency policy for the civil service has been refocused to provide more meaningful and effective services through Irish. The Departments (sic) Implementation Plan for the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-30 includes measures aimed at building capacity in the provision of Irish language services in the civil service. The workforce planning process will be amended to require Government Departments and Offices to identify posts and areas of work requiring functional bilinguals. (underlined in original!) We have now given practical effect to the commitments in the measures to support Irish language proficiency in the civil service that was unveiled last week. The policy includes provision for a sub-panel of functional bilinguals equal to 6% of the main panel for future recruitment and, where appropriate, promotion competitions. Successful candidates from the main competition panel will be tested on a basis of a rigorous written and oral Irish test and must be able to provide a full range of services to customers - and internally within Departments - in Irish and must be designated for that purpose for a period of time. We will pilot this approach in upcoming EO competition to access demand for functional bilinguals across Departments. If demand exists it will be applied to future competitions. The shift from the policy of awarding bonus marks for Irish in competitions - that demonstrably didn't achieve the required policy outcome - to an approach that puts in place a panel of functional bilinguals for deployment across the system - is designed to renew and strengthen Irish language proficiency across the civil service. We see scope for greater linkages between the Irish language schemes and strategic workforce planning so as to ensure that Departments clearly identify the need if any. In tandem with the functional bilingual policy I believe there is an ongoing need for an Irish language training and proficiency assessment regime for existing civil servants. The service level agreement between my Department and the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht supports capacity building and provides a practical mechanism to support Irish language training services and proficiency testing. In conclusion, resourcing policy for the Irish language must have a greater competency-based focus. I believe the new measures that have been in place represent a very real improvement and go a long way towards achieving this outcome. The legacy policy was not providing service delivery in Irish and it was time for change - the measures achieved last week are the first step to a more realistic and coherent policy in this area. The policy is intended to meet our stated commitment under the 20 Year Strategy and to create a supply of functional bilinguals for deployment across the civil service, over the medium to longer term.

Notes:
1. Extract from release on his annual report for 2011, issued by Seán Ó Cuirreáin, the Coimisinéir Teanga on 24 April 2012.
"The report relates to the Department of Social Protection which was found to be in breach of statutory language provisions but failed to take corrective action. Two separate investigations found that the Department did not comply properly with its statutory language obligations with regard to the awarding of bonus marks for proficiency in Irish and English in specific
internal promotion competitions.

The system for the awarding of bonus marks for proficiency in the two languages was established in 1975 to replace the previous system of “compulsory” Irish. The investigation found that the Department had a statutory duty to award bonus marks for competence in Irish and English to suitably qualified candidates and that the Department was in breach of this provision when it limited the award of the bonus marks to candidates who had progressed to the final stage of promotion competitions. “The flawed approach adopted by the Department appears to be mirrored across the Civil Service and is clearly partly to blame for the marginalisation of Irish within the workforce in the sector,” according to An Coimisinéir Teanga.

The Department did not appeal An Coimisinéir Teanga’s findings to the High Court on a point of law as permitted by legislation, but, neither did it implement the recommendations of the investigations. “In reporting this matter to both Houses of the Oireachtas, I have concluded my work on the issue and it now falls to the Oireachtas to take whatever course of action, if any, it deems appropriate in the circumstances” said Mr. Ó Cuirreáin."

2. There was further clarification on the actual evening that the matter was read. The Minister himself did not attend but Junior Minister Hayes did submit responses including reading this document into the record of the debate under the heading: Irish Language Issues 6/11/2013)

Now we know the state of play!

The current government has not made a single decision which encourages the use of Irish among the people. 

See other articles and comments on this decision at bottom of page!

My basis for this startling statement is the list of hypocritical statements and decisions made, some under the apparent guise of fiscal rectitude and others based on esoteric and dubious linguistic meanderings hidden deep in the inscrutable minds of those who inhabit Merrion Street! It has not made a single decision which encourages those small areas of our people where Irish is the vocabulary to develop and grow as an Irish speaking community. It has not made a single decision which was applauded with enthusiasm by any Irish Language organisation. Indeed the only piece of legislation that it has put on the books, the Gaeltacht Act 2012, was guillotined through the Oireachtas.

Aire ró-chiúin na Gaeltachta

As far as I can see they have never produced a single language planning professional, independent (or indeed dependent) in support of their position. All they do time and time again is wheel out a hapless Junior Minister to defend the indefensible (The actual minister of the Gaeltacht appears incapable of speaking to or for the people under his care!).

More readily disposed to use Irish?
The latest debacle is their decision made to abolish a system of attributing points for language proficiency, instituted by the last Fine Gael/Labour interparty government in 1974. In that year Richie Ryan abolished the requirement for proficiency in both Irish and English in candidates for the civil service. He stated that he was “satisfied that by replacing the compulsion which did so much damage to the Irish language over the past half century with enthusiasm for the language, we will have people more readily disposed to use Irish.” (see Richie Ryan decision made language marginal 4/2/2011)

Some years ago the Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, made a finding in this matter after two investigations. His report for 2011 stated that these both "found that the Department of Social Protection failed to correctly award bonus marks for competence in Irish and English in internal promotion competitions. 

"The system, which is in operation since 1975, was set up as a replacement for ‘compulsory’ Irish, and  it was designed to ensure that Irish-speaking staff would be available at all grades in the Civil Service. 

"The Department of Social Protection did not appeal the decision of the investigation to the High  Court, but neither did it implement the recommendations. That in itself is a matter of concern but the  situation is made worse by the knowledge that the practice of failing to award bonus marks correctly  is common throughout the Civil Service. " (Report 2011)

The fact that the Department did not appeal the decision, as was it's right, meant that the finding of the Comisinéir stood. However as they also failed to act on his decision, he laid the matter before the Oireachtas. The relevant Houses of the Oireachtas committee has heard submissions but no report has issued as yet.

Left untried!
Today's Irish Times reports, "At the weekly Cabinet meeting, Ministers accepted a recommendation by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin to discontinue the bonus points system on the basis that it is an anomaly and its intention of promoting Irish speakers within the Civil Service has not worked."

Thus instead of having the courtesy of waiting for the report of the Oireachtas Committee the government dictated its own judgement. It stated that the system is an anomaly and does not work. One is tempted to ask "How do you know?" since, as the Comisinéir found, it was not so much that the system failed but rather that the system was never operated.

There is a saying of the eminent English apologist G.K. Chesterton in another matter which comes to mind, 'The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.' (GKC, What's Wrong with the World, 1910).

Less than hollow!
The report in today's Irish Times goes on to say: "Mr Howlin’s department has yet to devise a specific plan to achieve this aim. It has indicated panels will be set aside for those who are fluent or proficient in Irish."  How this will actually work is not stated. Unlike the Ryan decision we are not even palmed off with a hollow statement that this might be helpful development for the language. In fact it is little less than a further reduction and retreat from minimalist position adopted in 1974, a position which has led to the position that only 1.5% of the staff Department of Education can conduct business in Irish, not to mention the other Departments.

There is no obvious saving of resources in this decision. It appears it is in fact a further change in policy in relation to our language. A policy which will instead of encouraging the use of Irish among Civil Servants will positively militate against its use by establishing quotas. Why would a civil servant seek to improve his knowledge of Irish? It is in fact a further isolated from "real-life!"

It is hardly a month ago since the Comisinéir Teanga addressed the opening of Coláiste na Gaeilge in Dublin and spoke about the hypocracy of successive Governments since 1928. At the conclusion of his address he listed two things to be included in the new Language Act which would demonstrate the current Government's  good-will.

"1. To copperfasten in the Act that every employee dealing with the Gaeltacht community be proficient in the language.

2. The the position of Irish in staff recruitment to the public service in general be dealt with clearly.

If these two questions are dealt with in the amendment process (of the Language Act) there would be some hope that progress could be made. If these questions are avoided, or if a lukewarm effort or further wearysome pretences are introduced, we will understand more clearly the state of play and the direction of the wind!" (My translation)

I fear that the Kenny/Gilmore government have given him and us his answer!

The answer is brutal!

Verily we now know the state of play and the direction of the wind!

---

These are comments and statements on this the latest blow struck against our language by an uncaring government! 

The Commentator "An Sionnach Fionn" has quoted extensively from this in his blog, "SOWING A GAELIC STORM". I'm not sure that I like the terms Hibernophone and Anglophone and would hardly think of myself in such terms. I think Gael is a far more humane term!

Cén fáth go bhfoghlaimeodh aon stát seirbhíseach an Ghaeilge a thuilleadh? (An Tuairisceoir, 31/10/2013)
Deireadh le pointí bónais as Gaeilge – fíorscanradh na Samhna (Nuacht24, 31/10/2013)
Abolition of points system means there won’t be enough Irish speaking civil servants, claims group (The Journal, 1/11/2013)
An Ghaeilge deemed unnecessary for 94% of civil servants (Gaelport, 5/11/2013)
Since the Government through Foras na Gaeilge suddenly withdrew support for the Irish newspaper Gaelscéal there is little printed news published in Irish. This from the Irish Times: ‘Buille eile’ don teanga sa socrú nua státseirbhíse (6/11/2013).
Written response (in English to a Notice Question in Irish) from the Minister of Public Service, Irish Language Proficiency in the Civil Service. (Seanad Éireann, 6/11/2013)
Buile do phobal na Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge (Galway Advertiser, 7/11/2013)
Irish civil service incentive cut (Letter, Irish Times, 7/11/2013)

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The doctor's rights?

A tweet some days ago set me thinking.

"Reality is that if an Irish speaking child without English goes to a Doctor without Irish, people think that the child is violating the Doctor's rights!"

"Speak English to me!"

It stirred something in my memory. A poem from Msgr. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, the eminent scholor and under whose guidance and incredible persistence the Biobla Magh Nuad was published.

The poem is dedicated to his brokenhearted mother and appears in his collection Deora Dé (1987)

Do Mháire Ní Fhiannachta

Bhí deartháirín agam tráth 
Ach sciob an bás é, 
Agus mise i gcoláiste. 
Ghlaoigh sé ar a mháthair 
Agus eisean i bpianpháis; 
Deoch ‘on uisce lena shásamh 
Ina íota géar a cháiseamh.

"Looking for his duck!" 
A bhí sé dar leis na húdaráis 
Ag tabhairt tuairisc’ ar a bhás 
Dá mháthair larna mhárach ...

An bhearna i mo chroí-se 
Riamh ó shin níor líonadh

Go bhfaca romham ar bhinse 
Máirín Óg Ní Fhiannachta 
Den dara glúin im dhiaidhse 
Is an gaol eadrainn chomh sínte 
Nach bhfuil aon seanchaí a ríomhadh 
Na glúinte trínar síoladh 
An mianach ceannann céanna 
Is an Ghaeilge aici chomh líofa 
Le Micilín i gclúid mo chroí-se.

The tells the story of his little brother, Micilín. He died in a hospital (I assume Tralee), cut off from his home in Corca Duibhne (Dingle Penninsula) asking in vain for a drink (deoch) of water but the hospital staff did not understand this final request from a dying toddler thinking he was "looking for his duck!"

When illness strikes a small or pre-school child in a family in the Gaeltacht it is hardly a defensible civil right that the child has the extra burden of having to communicate and understand in a language not that of his home. Yet there is no legal obligation on the State Services to provide that service, despite that fact that there is a law to this effect in the state since 1928 which by ministerial order has remained dormant - 54 times (see address of The Coimisinéir Teanga 3/9/2013 {in Irish})

I think this poem should be compulsory reading for all health service professionals in Ireland.

National archive reveals shocking state cynicism!

"Are we - as we approach to the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising - to foist compulsory English in place of compulsory Irish in the state system of this country?"

At an event in Dublin on the 3 September 2013, the Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin  officially launched Coláiste na hÉireann and its first course, a Postgraduate Diploma in Translation. Coláiste na nÉireann is a new third-level institution founded by the organisation Gaelchultúr.

In a short address prior to the official launch the Coimisinéir shared some startling information which, as he said, makes it difficult to view the Irish language policy of the Irish state from 1928 other than as an excercise in cynicism, deception and long fingering! (The text of the speech may be found in Irish here on the website of the Office of the Coimisinéir Teanga!)

In June 1928 the then Minister of Local Government & Health, Risteárd Ua Maolchatha, introduced Legal Instrument (No 23 0f 1928) which specified that any local or health authority employee with duties in the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) be given three years to learn sufficient Irish to be able to perform their duties in the local language. If they failed to do this they were to be let go.

In 1944 Seán McEntee, the thne minister with these responsibilities strengthened the scope these provisions (No74/1944) with the same three year period as in the first instrument. This means that there was a legal mechanism in place to ensure that people were enabled to transact their business with the state in Irish.

Research by the Office of the Coimisinéir Teanga has discovered however that these provisions were never implemented. The fact that they were never implemented would indicate that they should be riscinded but in fact they never were, indeed what happened, in the words of the Coimisinéir, was far more cynical. As a target date approached a new instrument was signed which postponed it for a further six or twelve months. Research of the State Papers indicates that this happened not once nor twice but at least fifty four (54) times between 1928 and 1966. Surely an exercise in cynicism, deception and long fingering!

In further research his office has investigated the background to Richie Ryan's announcement of the abolition of the requirement of proficiency in the National Language for applicants to appointments in the civil service in 1974. At the time he proclaimed to the Dáil (27 Sept 1974) "...there will be no weakening of Irish in the civil service and there will be a greater desire to use it because of the ending of compulsion..." (The Comisinéir has commented on this as reported in "Richie Ryan decision made language marginal" 4/2/2011). This in fact did not reflect the true position of the Government or the Civil Service.

The reality as revealed in papers now available under the 30 year rule at the National Archive. The Comisinéir  has seen these himself and slightly incredulously quoted from some of these in his address. From these papers it is clear that considerable pressure, if not influence, was exercised by certain civil servant trade unions, activists for people in Northern Ireland and the Language Freedom Movement (LFM) - a group which was strongly inimical to the State's role in promoting the use of Irish - papers from this group are preserved in the Hardiman Library at NUIG..

The minister (Ryan) himself wrote on the use of Irish in dealing with the public who wished or required to use it in dealing with the State bodies‚"There has been legitimate criticism that this responsibility has not always been discharged. The position will tend to worsen if staff without Irish are recruited."

A senior Civil Servant somewhat prophetically warns that the removal of the language condition "...could lead eventually to a situation where few, if any, civil servants would have any knowledge of the language and it would almost certainly make it impossible to provide staff in sufficient numbers to deal with those who...would be entitled to expect to be able to conduct business in Irish with Government Departments and Offices..."

Perhaps the most cynical is the remark of another, very hostile to Irish, civil servant which dismissed the efficacy of the additional points supposed to assist the Irish speaking applicant for a position. "In most cases, the interview board will make certain, through the marking system, that the candidate who, to them, is best qualified for the job, irrespective of his knowledge of Irish, will get it...."

The Taoiseach of the day (Liam Cosgrave) although fully supportive of the new regime showed that he did understand what was being done. He said, "..that the abolition of the requirement might cause some difficulties in regard to the Constitutional position of Irish as the first official language of the State and might lead to a situation where few civil servants would be able to conduct business in Irish with those members of the public who would wish and would be entitled to do so..."

From left: Risteárd Ua Maolcatha, Seán McEntee, Richie Ryan, Liam Cosgrave

We now know the pitiful result of these decisions and provarications.

The Civil Servants appointments procedure has (in the judgement of the Coimisinéir Teanga) consistently misinterpreted the points system which Richie Ryan stated would ensure a renaissance of Irish usage in the Government. It has led to the situation in the Department of Education where only 1.5% of the administrative staff are capable in the language. One shudders to think what the position in other Departments might be.

The civil service have made their position clear in a recent (November 2011) appearance before a joint Oireachtas committee. A judgement made by the Language Commissioner on the procedure in appointing points to applicants for positions with regard to language found the procedure illegal. The representatives of the Civil Service explained that they disagreed with his decision because that was the way they always did it! Sir Humphrey Appleby lives on!

The new language act is being formulated at present and in his address Seán Ó Cuirreáin asks, "Are we - as we approach to the one hundredth anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising - to foist compulsory English in place of compulsory Irish in the state system of this country?"

We will be able to judge their bona fides in the Heads of Bill for the new Irish Language act promised shortly by this Government, and for which they asked submissions almost two years ago. The Coimisinéir lists two things - that will incur no extra spending - that will demonstrate their good-will.

1. To copperfasten in the Act that every employee dealing with the Gaeltacht community be proficent in the language.

2. The the position of Irish in staff recruitment to the public service in general be dealt with clearly.

Can we say that the actions of Government and the Civil Service today will be any different than those who have occupied positions of responsibility since 1928? Has our experience of the policies of the current administration led us to expect otherwise?

What do you think?

The text in Irish in HTML on An Tuairisceoir: Óráid an Choimisinéara Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, i nGaelchultúr/Coláiste na hÉireann!