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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Official languages Bill

Summary

Deputy Tóibín raised an AA customer being refused service in Irish and asked that the forthcoming Official Languages Bill require companies to respect Irish-language rights. The Minister said the Bill was at pre-legislative scrutiny and such suggestions could be considered there.

Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh, a well-known barrister, was renewing his insurance with AA Ireland. He happened to speak to somebody who knew Irish; the conversation switched into Irish and then the phone line dropped. He rang back and asked to speak to the same individual. He was told that he could but would not be allowed to speak Irish. The AA, functioning in Ireland, is banning its staff talking to Irish people in Irish.

We are all awaiting the Bill to amend Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Is it not logical that companies operating on licence in this country would, in that Bill, be requested to respect the national language and to facilitate Irish speakers?

There is an online campaign under way called níl sé ceart go leor, #nílsécgl. It is in response to the disrespect and second-class citizenship that many Irish speakers experience at the hands of this Government, the public services and commercial organisations. Can we fix this?

Comment on this

I understand that the official languages Bill is under pre-legislative scrutiny at the moment. I imagine the committee will be in a position to consider suggestions like the Deputy's before the Bill is considered here as substantive legislation.

Comment on this