Press release
Expressions of interest sought regarding membership of An Coiste Logainmneacha
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Expressions of interest are sought from suitable applicants to join the new Placenames Committee, An Coiste Logainmneacha, which will soon be appointed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, the Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’Donovan. An Coiste Logainmneacha is to be established on a statutory basis under section 13 of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021.
The main task of An Coiste Logainmneacha is to advise the Minister regarding the declaration of Irish versions of Irish placenames under the Official Languages Act. This advice of the Committee is based on an examination of the research of the Brainse Logainmneacha - a section of the department. To this end the Committee holds one meeting per quarter and evidence is regularly discussed online through an extranet system.
Minister Catherine Martin said of this new approach:
"I am very pleased that my department has set up an open process so that members of the public can put themselves forward and participate in the important work related to Irish placenames in the country. It is important that a strong Coiste Logainmneacha is operating in the period ahead and I hope that people from different backgrounds with expertise and interest in the field of placenames will put themselves forward."
Commenting on the expression of interest process, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan said:
"The placenames of Ireland, the vast majority of which are deeply rooted in the Irish language, are an invaluable part of our heritage. The new Coiste Logainmneacha, which is to be established shortly on a statutory basis under the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2021, will play an important role in advising me as to the official Irish versions of the State's placenames. Members of the public with expertise and interest in the area of placenames are now being given the opportunity to express their interest in partaking in the work of the Committee in the coming years, and I view this as a positive step."
An Coiste Logainmneacha will have a term of three years. The members of An Coiste Logainmneacha act voluntarily/on a pro bono basis. More information about the Committee and the expression of interest process can be found in this information booklet
Expressions of interest should be sent to personnel@tcagsm.gov.ie before 12pm noon on Monday, 15 May 2023.