Press release
Official Languages Act (Amendment) 2021 signed by the President of Ireland
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
On a historic day for the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD and the Government’s Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD, have welcomed the news that the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003 and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said:
"I welcome the good news that the President of Ireland has signed this very important Act which enhances the quality of services available to citizens in the conduct of their business in Irish with the State."
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers TD, said:
“A new era is now in store for the relationship between the Irish language and Gaeltacht community and the Public Service. I will now be working diligently with officials of my Department to give effect to the provisions of the amended Act in the New Year.”
The main goals of this Act are that 20% of new recruits to the public service will be competent in Irish by the end of 2030, that all public services in the Gaeltacht will be provided in Irish, that all public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish and that a National Plan for the Provision of Public Services in Irish will be developed.
The Official Languages Bill (Amendment), 2021: https://www.oireachtas.ie/ga/bills/bill/2002/24/
20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language, 2010-2030: https://www.gov.ie/ga/eolas-polasaithe/an-straiteis-20-bliain-don-ghaeilge-2010-2030/
Action Plan 2018-2022: https://www.gov.ie/ga/eolas-polasaithe/plean-gniomhaiochta-2018-go-2022/