Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Chearta Teanga International Conference on Language Rights

1. Comhdháil Idirnáisiúnta ar Chearta TeangaInternational Conference on Language Rights BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH, AN 24 Bealtaine 2013 Dublin, 24 MAY 2013 Seán Ó Cuirreáin, An Coimisinéir Teanga

2. Cúlra…...Background • Historic language of Ireland…in use here for 2,000 years • Oldest written language in Northern Europe which remains a living, community language • Despite its history and status, it remains a threatened language • Teanga stairiúil na tíre seo…á húsáid anseo le 2,000 bliain • An teanga scríofa is sine i dTuaisceart na hEorpa a mhaireann fós mar theanga bheo phobail • D'ainneoin na staire agus an stádais, teanga í atá faoi bhagairt

3. Staitisticí….Statistics Daonáireamh 2011 Census 2011 • Daonra iomlán = 4.5m. duine • Gaeilge ag 1.77m nó 41%...méadú 7% ó 2006 • Cainteoirí laethúla (lasmuigh den oideachas)… 77,000 méadú 7%, 23,000 acu sin sa Ghaeltacht • Total population = 4.5m. people • Those with Irish, 1.77m or 41%, increase of 7% since 2006 • Daily speakers (outside education)… 77,000, up 7%, 23,000 of those in Gaeltacht areas.

4. Stádas….Status Go hoifigiúil… Officially… • Mar theanga náisiúnta, aitheanta sa bhunreacht mar phríomhtheanga oifigiúil. • Teanga oifigiúil san Aontas Eorpach (AE) í ón mbliain 2007 • Polasaí oifigiúil ó bhunú an Stáit maidir le tacaíocht/cur chun cinn na teanga • Léiríonn taighde go bhfuil 93% de phobal na tíre báúil dá cosaint nó dá cur chun cinn. • As national language recognised in constitution as first official language • Official language of European Union (EU) since 2007 • Official policy of supporting/promoting language since foundation of State • Research shows that 93% of the population are supportive of the preservation or promotion of Irish.

5. Tacaíocht…Support Raon leathan de thacaíochtaí oifigiúla… Wide range of official support mechanisms… Ábhar éigeantach scoile go dtí an Ardteist (aois c.18 bliana), cead úsáide sna cúirteanna agus Tithe an Oireachtais, Aire agus Roinn Rialtais, stáisiúin raidió agus teilifíse, foilseacháin éagsúla, oideachas trí Ghaeilge ó naíonraí go 3ú leibhéal, seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge ó ranna agus eagraíochtaí stáit, Acht Teanga agus Oifig Coimisinéara Teanga, forais, cumainn agus eagraíochtaí teanga de gach cineál, straitéis 20 bliain, pleanáil teanga sa Ghaeltacht… Compulsory school subject to Leaving Cert (c.18 years of age), right to use in all courts and houses of parliament, Government Minister and Department, Radio and TV stations, publications, education through Irish from pre-school to 3rd level, services through Irish from state departments and agencies, Language Act and Language Commissioner’s Office, all sorts of language organisations, associations and bodies , 20-year strategy, Gaeltacht language planning initiative …

6. Gaeltacht Staid reatha… Current state… • Maireann an teanga mar theanga phobail i limistéir i 7 gcontae, ar an gcósta thiar den chuid is mó (agus mar rogha theanga ar fud na tíre…) • Daonra na Gaeltachta c.97,000 agus 66,000 díobh ina gcainteoirí Gaeilge; 23,000 acu ina gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge lasmuigh den oideachas. • Mairfidh an teanga sna Gaeltachtaí ach an mairfidh sí mar theanga bheo an phobail? Faoi bhrú ollmhór faoi láthair…Géarchéim teanga i ngach limistéir Gaeltacht gan dabht ar bith. • Dlúthcheangal idir todhchaí na Gaeltachta agus an teanga go náisiúnta. • Irish survives as a community language in areas in 7 counties, predominantly on western seaboard (also as a language of choice throughout the country…) • Gaeltacht population is c.97,000 with 66,000 being Irish speakers; 23,000 of those speak Irish daily outside education system. • Language will survive in Gaeltacht but will it remain a living, community language? Under enormous pressure at present: major crisis in every Gaeltacht. • Inherent connection between future of Gaeltacht and the language nationally.

7. Deacrachtaí …Difficulties Gan cheist… Without question… • Easpa ceangail idir sealbhú na teanga (san oideachas nó ó dhúchas sa Ghaeltacht) agus úsáid na teanga…bearna ollmhór fágtha • Gan dóthain aird ar sholáthar seirbhísí stáit trí Ghaeilge …go háirithe sa Ghaeltacht. • Teachtaireacht mheasctha… “Labhraígí Gaeilge le chéile ach ná labhraígí linne í!” • Lack of correlation between language acquisition (through education or as native speakers in Gaeltacht) and subsequent usage… a huge ‘disconnect’. • Inadequate provision of state services through Irish..particularly in Gaeltacht. • Mixed message ..“Speak Irish amongst yourselves, but don’t speak it to us!”

8. Reachtaíocht…Legislation Aidhm… Objective… • Forálacha teanga i go leor den reachtaíocht • 2003 – Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla • Aidhm: líon agus caighdeán na seirbhísí stáit trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú ar bhealach eagraithe thar tréimhse ama..áit agus spás a chruthú don teanga i saol poiblí na tíre. • Language provisions in many pieces of legislation • 2003 – Official Languages Act • Objective: increase the quantity an quality of state services through Irish in an organised manner over time…create a place and space for the language in public affairs

9. Forálacha…Provisions San Acht… In the Act… • Trí mheascán d'fhorálacha díreacha, rialacháin agus scéimeanna teanga, dírítear ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna, i dTithe an Oireachtais, i gcroí-fhoilseacháin na n-eagras stáit, sa chumarsáid idir an Stát agus an pobal, i gcomharthaíocht, stáiseanóireacht, fógairtí taifeadta béil, logainmneacha, etc. Bainteach leis an tseirbhís phoiblí amháin. • Using a mix of direct provisions, regulations and language schemes, it focuses on use of Irish in the courts, houses of parliament, in core publications by state bodies, in the communication between State and public, in signage, stationery, recorded announcements, placenames, etc. Deals only with public sector.

10. Coimisinéir …Commissioner Oifig bheag… Small office… • Bunaithe in 2004 • Seirbhís ombudsman • Gníomhaireacht ghéilliúlachta • Soláthar comhairle ar chearta agus ar dhualgais • Foireann de 5-7 státseirbhíseach • Buiséad bliantúil c.€600,000 • Established in 2004 • Ombudsman service • Compliance Agency • Provision of advice on rights and obligations • Staff of 5-7 civil servants • Annual budget c.€600,000

11. Osradharc…Overview Go dtí deireadh 2012, dhéileáil an Oifig le: By the end of 2012, the Office had dealt with: 5,425 gearán (28% ón nGaeltacht) 82 imscrúdú foirmiúil 198 iniúchadh 1,736 iarratas ar chomhairle ó eagrais stáit 9 dtuarascáil bhliantúla + 3 thuarascáil speisialta agus tuairisc ar mholtaí maidir le leasuithe ar an Acht. Treoirleabhar, suíomh gréasáin agus foilseacháin éagsúla, chomh maith le pacáiste tacaíochta foghlama ilmhéan ar chearta teanga do dhaltaí scoile na tíre, etc . 5,425 complaints (28% from the Gaeltacht) 82 formal investigations 198 audits 1,736 requests for advice from state bodies 9 annual reports + 3 special reports, as well as recommendations for amendments to the Act. Guidebook, a website and various publications including a multi-media educational resource on language right for schoolchildren.

12. Athbhreithniú...Review An tAcht faoi athbhreithniú faoi láthair… Act currently under review… • Cuid de chlár oibre an Rialtais reatha • Próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí críochnaithe ó Eanáir 2011 ach níl na torthaí foilsithe fós. • Ráite go mbeidh an bille nua leis an Acht a leasú foilsithe roimh dheireadh na bliana seo. • Cónascadh Oifig an Choimisinéara le hOifig an Ombudsman le déanamh sa phróiseas céanna ach ráite go leanfaidh coimisinéir neamhspleách a bheidh á cheapadh go reachtúil ag feidhmiú na gcumhachtaí reatha agus lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht. Cineál éigin córais le cumhachtaí tarmligthe luaite. • Part of the current programme for Government • Public consultation exercise ended in January 2011 but no results published to date • Bill to amend Act said to be published before end of this year. • Amalgamation of Commissioner's Office with Ombudsman's Office as part of the same process but said that an independent commissioner will continue to be appointed in a statutory manner, with the statutory functions of the current commissioner and based in the Gaeltacht. Some system of delegated powers proposed.

13. Ceachtanna ...Lessons Prionsabail… Principles… • Reachtaíocht shoiléir, láidir riachtanach le cearta teanga a chosaint..seachas a theorannú. • Is cearta iad cearta teanga agus ní gar iad a cheadaítear in aimsir na flúirse… buanchearta iad seachas pribhléidí nó fabhair. • Riachtanas é go mbeadh monatóireacht neamhspleách i gceist: “What gets measured, gets done!” • Tábhacht mhór le córas réitithe do ghearáin. • Sciath chosanta seachas claíomh. • Clear, strong legislation required to protect…rather than restrict language rights • Language rights are not favours granted in times of affluence…permanent rights, not privileges or favours • Independent monitoring is essential – “What gets measured, gets done!” • Complaints resolution mechanism is very important. • A shield not a sword.

14. Ach… But… Géarchéim… Crisis… • Croí-ghné den Acht Teanga – córas na scéimeanna teanga – fágtha i gcruachás cheal feidhmiú cuí… scéimeanna in éag gan athnuachan…easpa muiníne dá bharr. • Dul chun cinn rótheoranta, rómhall, gan straitéis chomhcheangailte. • Easpa tacaíochta d’fheidhmiú na reachtaíochta ag leibhéal sinsearach sa chóras poiblí….baol ann gur mar rud roghnach breise a fheictear an teanga...rómhinic feictear an Béarla mar theanga nádúrtha na hoibre. • Core element of Language Act – the language schemes system – in crisis because of inadequate approach…schemes expired without renewal..consequent lack of confidence. • Progress is often too little, too late, no joined-up strategy . • Lack of champions to promote the legislation at senior level in public sector …unfortunately language is seen as an optional extra..too often English is seen as the ‘default’ setting

15. Dul chun cinn... Progress… Méadú ar: Increase in: • Seirbhísí áirithe stáit trí Ghaeilge • Feasacht teanga • Tuiscint ar chearta agus ar dhualgais teanga • Feiceálacht na teanga • Cumarsáid an Stáit leis an bpobal i nGaeilge • An creatlach reachtach atá mar thaca don teanga • Certain state services through Irish • Language awareness • Understating of language rights and obligations • Language visibility • State communication trough Irish with public • Legal framework to support language

16. Taithí …Experience Bainfidh an pobal úsáid… People will use… • …as seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge má chuirtear iad ar fáil ar an gcaighdeán céanna le seirbhísí trí Bhéarla..ach taithí an Bhéarla daingnithe. • Fágfaidh cuid mhór daoine a gcearta agus a mianta teanga ar leataobh mura gcuirtear seirbhísí ar fáil go follasach, toilteanach, fáilteach, oscailte . • Tá sé míréasúnta a bheith ag cur dualgas ar dhaoine an teanga a shealbhú agus ansin diúltú dóibh í a úsáid le déileáil le heagrais stáit. • Ní féidir seirbhísí stáit a chur ar fáil mar is ceart trí Ghaeilge gan foireann le Gaeilge a bheith fostaithe: ag an chéim earcaíochta is gá sin a áireamh. • Ní leor reachtaíocht teanga a achtú mura gcuirtear na córais agus na hacmhainní cearta ar fáil lena feidhmiú • …state services through Irish if they are provided at a similar standard to services through English…for too long the default setting • Many will leave their language rights and choices aside if services are not offered in a clear, welcoming, open, willing manner. • It is unreasonable to require people to acquire Irish and then to reject their efforts to use it with state organisations. • State services through Irish can not be provided adequately unless staff with Irish are employed and this ought be addressed at the recruitment stage. • Language legislation is insufficient if systems and resources are not provided for its implementation.

17. Dúshlán…Challenge An reachtaíocht a leasú le go mbeidh sí… To amend the legislation so as to make it… • …oiriúnach dá feidhm le freastal go cuí ar mhianta phobal na teanga…go gcinnteofar go gcruthófar áit agus spás don teanga i saol poiblí na tíre agus go mbogfar í ón imeall go dtí áit níos lárnaí. • An bhfuiltear dáiríre faoi seo a dhéanamh? Beidh leide faoin dáiríreacht sin le feiceáil le 2 theist an-simplí…mo shlata tomhais féin: • An gcinnteoidh an reachtaíocht leasaithe go mbeidh Gaeilge ag fostaithe an Stáit a bheidh ag freastal ar phobal na Gaeltachta, gan cheist, gan choinníoll? • An ndéileálfar sa reachtaíocht le ceist na teanga in earcaíocht foirne don chóras poiblí i gcoitinne? • …fit for purpose to adequately serve the needs of the language community...to create a place and space for the language in public affairs and to move it from the margins to the mainstream. • Will it be taken seriously? A hint at the seriousness of the effort will come from 2 simple tests…my personal yardsticks: • Will the amended legislation ensure that state employees serving the Gaeltacht communities are Irish speaking without question or conditions? • Will the new legislation address the issue of language in recruitment to the public service in general?

18. Toradh…Result Mura féidir… If not… • Mura féidir an dá ghné sin a chur san Acht leasaithe, faraor, beidh an baol ann gur mugadh magadh, bríolla brealla nó bréaga atá i gceist. • Agus go bhfeicfear go bhfuil sé fabhtach, faillíoch agus nach fada go ligfear i ndearmad é. • If those two elements are not addressed in the amended legislation, I fear it may be seen as a fudge, a farce or a falsehood. • And that it will be perceived as flawed, a failure and soon forgotten.

19. Focal scoir...And finally CEIST? QUESTION? • Ní féidir le haon Rialtas, reachtaíocht, coimisinéir nó eagraíocht stáit leo féin teanga atá i mbaol a shábháil. Ach tá ról acu ar fad le chéile leis na coinníollacha a chothú le cabhrú leis an bpobal a dteanga dhúchais a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn. • Mhair an Ghaeilge anseo trí ghorta agus cogaí, trí cheannas eachtrach agus trí ghéarchéimeanna eacnamaíocha agus maireann sí fós mar theanga bheo, croí-chuid dár gcultúr agus dár bhféiniúlacht agus cuid d'oidhreacht an domhain mhóir. An dúshlán atá romhainn ná a chinntiú go gcothaíonn muid na coinníollacha, an áit agus an spás don teanga le go mairfidh sí i gcónaí. An bhfuil an cheannaireacht agus an cumas ionainn é sin a dhéanamh? • No Government, legislation, commissioner or state agency can – of their own– save a threatened language. However, all have a role to play together to create the conditions to facilitate the public in promoting and protecting their native language. • In Ireland, Irish has survived through famine and wars, foreign occupation and past economic turmoil and still remains a living language, a core part of our culture and identity and part of world heritage… the challenge is to ensure that we create the conditions, the place and the space for its continued existence. Do we have the leadership and capacity to address this?