Lack of Irish translators may delay full working EU status for Irish language -Mary Lou McDonald

8 décembre 2005

Mary Lou McDonald MEP

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and MEP for Dublin Mary Lou McDonald has today questioned whether the Government has fully prepared for the introduction of Irish as a full working language of the European Union in
January 2007.

Ms McDonald made her comments after a meeting was arranged in the European Parliament between Irish MEPs and European officials where it emerged that EU officials recommended the deferment of full implementation of the language due to a lack of Irish interpreters.

Speaking today Ms McDonald said:

“The meeting sought to explore the practicalities of introducing the language as a full working language of the European Union. I was shocked to learn that European officials were recommending the deferment of full
implementation of the language due to a lack of Irish interpreters. European officials also made it clear that it was the responsibility of the Irish Government to ensure that people were trained up as interpreters
for Irish language translation in the EU Parliament.

“I want to ask the government directly if they are confident that enough translators are available to ensure the full implementation of the language on January 1st 2007. The Government must now state publicly whether or not it can meet the challenge of facilitating the training of sufficient numbers of interpreters to meet that date in just over oneyear’s time. I will be seeking to raise this issue with the government in the time ahead

“For more than 30 years, Irish language campaigners had been lobbying the Government to seek full EU working status for the language. It is unacceptable that this may now be delayed even further because of
Government failure to prepare for the introduction of the language in 2007.” ENDS