Ardee councillor seeks update on Council's Irish language compliance
Cllr Sheridan has sought update on Council's compliance with legal obligations to Irish speakers
Cllr John Sheridan has sought an update from Louth County Council on its compliance with its legal obligations to Irish speakers.
In 2020 the Council committed to addressing matters raised by the Irish Language Commissioner about the Council's provision of services through Irish.
The Ardee councillor told the Dundalk Democrat: “This week, Seachtain na Gaeilge takes place to promote the use of a cúpla focail. Louth has a rich heritage and active Irish speaking community and it's important our local authority are compliant with their obligations to supply services through Irish.
“In 2019 the Irish Language Commissioner raised some issue's about Louth County Councils provision of services through Irish. In summer 2020, I received a commitment from the Council that they were addressing all matters raised in An Comisinear Teanga's investigation report.
“I personally have noted more of a proactive approach to Irish by the Council and I have now tabled a motion with Louth County Council to seek a formal update on the Council's work following the 2019 investigation by the Irish Language Commissioner.”
Cllr Sheridan continued, “the 2022 Census suggested that 32% of people in Louth could speak Irish, while over 14,000 people used Irish inside the education system which another 13,400 people in Irish used Irish outside the education system. Not many may know that there was a living Gaeltacht in Omeath a century ago, since then, many of us have developed a grá of Irish through our education and families.
“I particularly note Coláiste Rís in Dundalk, among others, which promoted education through Irish for decades, while there is a vibrant Ciorcal Comhrá group in Ardee meeting weekly through Irish.”
The Fianna Fáil councillor added, “the spirit of the Official Languages act isn’t necessarily that everything is translated but that there is access to services if it is required. Like others, we’re very proud to have the cúpla focal and would like to use it more in our interactions with state agencies including the council.”