Foras na Gaeilge

1. Foras na Gaeilge Grúpa Idir-Rannach Feidhmithe na Cairte / ICIG 24 Eanáir 2008

2. An Staid reatha i dTÉ/Current position in NI • European Charter • Code of Courtesy – August 2005 • St. Andrew’s Agreement Act - strategy • DE Strategy for Languages • Language Act

3. Roles, Responsibilities and Obligations – Guidance Departments must: • Keep at all times within the spirit of the Charter, as reflected in Part II. • Ensure all staff are familiar with those provisions of the Charter that apply to Irish and Ulster-Scots and know how their department will implement them. • Fulfil the specific obligations that relate to them under Part III of the Charter. • Seek legal advice if there are difficulties with discretionary aspects of the Charter.

4. Charter Objectives – Part 2 • the recognition of the regional or minority languages as an expression of cultural wealth; • the need for resolute action to promote regional or minority languages in order to safeguard them; • the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of regional or minority languages, in speech and writing, in public and private life; • the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of regional or minority languages at all appropriate stages;

5. Charter Objectives • Eliminate restrictions on the use of languages, • Ensure that users of minority languages are not excluded from society • Include language users in the decision-making processes that affect their language • Take ‘resolute action’ to promote regional or minority languages • Ensure that languages are dealt with appropriately within the education system.

6. Charter Objectives • Maintain • Safeguard • Protect • St. Andrew’s: “adapt a strategy to enhance and protect the development of . . .” • Implementation plan

7. Linguistic developments • An Foras Teanga – various schemes • ILBF • Ulster Scots Academy • IME, SMUC, QUB/UU • Gaeltacht Quarter • Limited services

8. The way forward/Bealach chun tosaigh • Perceptions are everything • Two way street – need to help one another and build capacity • Language of choice • Question of Access

9. The way forward/Bealach chun tosaigh (ar lean) • Proactive – as recommended in Part 2: • Publicise services available • Normalisation process • DE strategy for languages – LINK? • Joined up approach – DE & DHSSPS

10. Simple steps • Audit – linguistic ability/willingness to provide a service • Prepare and implement a plan based on the audit • Signage – in all State Departments and public / local Authorities as well as road signage • Road signage – An Cheathrú Gaeltachta • Preferred version of name and full address at all times and in all kinds of documentation • Publish certain documents – choose the audience • Front line services – planned introduction

11. Simple steps • Provision for teaching of languages on a wider basis • Provision of “cultural studies” on a proper footing • Build on services • Publish – use the net / Co-operate • Initiate the repeal of the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737. (Positive messages)

12. Achoimre / Synopsis • Audit • Signage • Publish • Front line services • Steady progress