Launch of ‘The Irish Government: Statement on the Irish Language 2006’, Farmleigh House

A dhaoine Uaisle.

Tá an-áthas orm fáilte a chur romhaibh anseo inniu tráth a bhfuil muid ag fógairt ráiteas an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge.

The Irish Language has a special position in the life of the Nation.

Right from the very foundation of the State, all parties agreed that the Irish Language, as a badge of Irish identity, would have a central role to play in the Irish State. On the 1^st January 2007, Irish will become the 20^th official working language of the European Union at the request of the Irish Government.

In this context, it is right that we would continue to support and promote the Irish Language at home. In the European context, it is very important that the diverse rich tapestry of European culture would be protected and developed. As one of the oldest languages in Europe that is still used as a vernacular language, Irish has a very special role to play in this tapestry and it is a duty of the Government to ensure that it continues to flourish.

The Government felt that in the context of the 21^st century, it was important to restate the Government’s position clearly in relation to the Irish language. I am delighted, therefore, to be here at the launch of this short statement which clearly outlines the Government’s position on the language and on where it sees its future. This statement marks a major evolution in national policy on the Irish language. The aim of 20^th century Government policies was to reinstate Irish as the main language spoken by the people, but the Government now plan to focus firmly on the practical development of a bilingual society where as many people as possible use both Irish and English with equal ease.

The Government is committed to the development of the Irish language and the promotion of functional bilingualism, while fully recognising the value of English to Irish citizens as the dominant language used in international discourse.
The Government is committed to the development of a 20 year strategy for the Irish language which will outline a detailed plan for its promotion.
The Government is committed to the maintenance of Irish within the educational system, the media and in public life and to the implementation of the Official Languages Act.

We see the Irish language as belonging to all the people of Ireland whether they have no Irish, the cúpla focail or are fluent. The challenge for the State is to make the Irish language available as widely as possible and to leave it as a choice for the citizen as to how they wish to engage with the Irish language when dealing with the State. For example, it is a matter for parents to choose whether they wish their children to be educated through Irish or to be taught Irish as a core subject in our schools. It is a matter for the citizen whether they choose to watch Irish language television or listen to Irish language radio. It is a choice for the citizen, whether they wish to interact with the State in Irish or English. Our job is to make this choice available, as far as is practical.

There is no doubt but that the State’s role in the promotion of Irish in the past has been vital for its survival and growth. However, times change and policies need to change with them. This Statement builds on the work done in the past but is clearly focused on the needs of the future and the requirements of a modern, vibrant, growing Ireland. An Ireland in which not only material prosperity will be promoted, but in which the rich tapestry of our multi-faceted culture will also be a source of enrichment to our people.

ENDS