Press release
Minister of State Byrne welcomes the Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga for 2023
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
Minister of State Byrne welcomes the Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga for 2023
Growth in advertising through Irish and advice given to an increasing number of public bodies
The Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., has welcomed the Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga 2023 .
Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga was established in 2004 under the Official Languages Act 2003. The principal duties assigned to that office under the Act are to monitor the compliance of public bodies with provisions of the Act and to take necessary measures to ensure that public bodies fulfil their duties under the Act.
The Annual Reports of An Coimisinéir Teanga give an insight into public bodies’ progress under the Act together with matters causing concern to the public in terms of their language rights - something which is of particular value to the Irish Language Advisory Committee in the drafting of the first ever National Plan for Irish Language Public Services , as well as the drafting of language standards under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
The Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga for 2023 shows a positive trend regarding advice sought by public bodies from that Office in relation to the fulfilment of their duties under the Act, with advice given in this context on 380 different occasions - an increase of almost 35% on 2022 and 140% on 2021. An Coimisinéir Teanga also noted the growth in advertising by public bodies through the medium of Irish due to the implementation of Section 10A of the amended Act.
Speaking today, Minister of State Byrne said:
"I welcome the Annual Report of An Coimisinéir Teanga for the year 2023 and I congratulate him and his team on their work.
It is clear that the relationship between Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga and public bodies is going from strength to strength year on year and I’d like to take this opportunity to commend public bodies and local authorities across the country for their efforts in implementing the Official Languages Acts and promoting the Irish language.
I also note the type of complaints received during the year, which relate largely to the use of the síneadh fada in a person's name and the correct use of a name, surname, address and title in the Irish language in general, as well as interactive online services, telephone services, official forms, and lack of Irish-speaking staff. Given these themes, I am delighted to note that many of the provisions of the Act due to be commenced this year will answer directly to many of these complaints, with others to be addressed through the National Plan and the language standards."
Since the enactment of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, the Ministers and officials of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media have been working to give effect to all the substantive sections and provisions of the Act on a phased basis, but in any case before the end of 2024, as set out under Section 20(3) of the 2021 Act.
In terms of the National Irish Language Public Services Plan, under provisions of the Act, this is to be submitted to the Minister by 19 June 2024 and published then in the Autumn. It is intended to hold the first consultation process for the first class of public bodies regarding the setting of language standards shortly thereafter.
Through this work, it is hoped to greatly increase the Irish language customer experience, empowering Irish speakers to use the language in all aspects of their daily lives - particularly in their dealings with the State.
Notes for the Editor:
About: