Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012
“Office of the Irish Language Commissioner must retain its independence” declare speakers at Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012. t Tóstal na
Gaeilge 2012, which took place in Dublin today organised by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, national and international experts were agreed for the successful implementation of the Official Languages Act, it is critical the Office of the Language Commissioner retain its independence and not be merged with any other state department or agency.
‘Fortifying the Status of the Irish Language’ was the theme of Tóstal na Gaeilge this year, and the international speakers Professor Colin Williams (Wales), Dr. Wilson McLeod (Scotland) and Professor François Grin (Switzerland) emphasised the importance of the independence of the Office of the Language Commissioner to enhance the status of the language under the Language Act, and said that the public could not have confidence in such an office it were not completely independent.
Among those who spoke during An Tóstal were, Language Commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, and Séamus Mac Giolla Chomhail, Principle Officer with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as well as academic experts in the areas of language planning and sociolinguistics, and local language activists.
Speaker after speaker throughout the day commented that the lack of progression in ratifying and implementing new schemes under the current system is a demonstration of both a reluctance within Public Bodies to fully implement schemes, and of the failure of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to effectively manage the current system, and that these issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
During An Tóstal it was proposed to examine the possibility of an alternative system to that of the current language schemes. The proposed new system would see certain Public Bodies categorised under the Act to provide services in Irish to the same standard as those provided in English. It was recommended that the Office of the Language Commission would have a central role under the new system in both influencing current practices within Public Bodies, and in administering sanctions where Public Bodies fail to conform to their regulatory duties.
In support of the recommendations made to date by the Language Commissioner, the experts speaking at An Tóstal recognised the current crisis within the public service with such a low number of staff able to proficiently provide services in both official languages of the State. It was agreed that it is necessary to put a recruitment process in place which recognises the advantage of proficiency in both English and Irish, which will ensure a higher number of employees in Public Bodies under the Act will be able to deal with the public through Irish in the future.
The recommendations made during Tóstal na Gaeilge will be included in the submission by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. A summary of those recommendations will be published on Gaelport.com, the Irish language news and information website, as a guide to the public as they complete the Department’s survey, or prepare submissions as part of the current consultation process.
Speaking at Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012, President of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa said “the sheer number of people who attended Tóstal na Gaeilge this year reflects the interest and understanding which the public has in the review of the Official Languags Act 2003”. Mac Fhearghusa urges the public do “take action by completing the Deparment’s survey online before the deadline at the end of the month”.
Ábhair le híoslódáil Thóstal na Gaeilge 2012 a íoslódáil ag an nasc seo:
Clár Thóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Dónall Ó Braonáin - Eocharchaint Thóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
An tOllamh Colin Williams - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
An tOllamh Francois Grin - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Dr Wilson McLeod - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Dr John Walsh - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Máire Seosaimhín Breathnach - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Dr Peadar Ó Flatharta - Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012.pdf
Interviews with the guest speakers of Tóstal na Gaeilge 2012 are available below:
© Gaelport.com 14 Eanáir 2012