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#Gaelvóta for #LE23


Irish Language Commitments in Local Elections 2023

Local councils have an important role to play in fulfilling state duties in relation to the Irish language. This is because they have authority over areas such as street signage and community development, are engaged in cultural and heritage development, and can promote languages through their own branding and services. With the upcoming Local Elections we are asking the parties and candidates for their stance on 5 key Irish language measures below regarding the promotion and protection of the language. We have contacted each party and all independent candidates requesting their policy stance on each of the 5 Irish language policy areas. The parties positions on each issue is included below.

We have attached here a bilingual information leaflet giving some context to each of the core issues.(PDF)

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Results of #LE23 

ComhairleLíon Iomlán SuíochánAr son #GaelvótaNach bhfuil BáúilCéatadán ar son %
Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin 41 35 6 85%
Comhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSrátha Báin 40 32 8 80%
Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste 60 43 17 72%
Comhairle Ceantair Fhear Manach agus na hÓmaí 40 27 13 68%
Comhairle Ceantair Lár Uladh 40 27 13 68%
Comhairle Ceantair Chósta an Chlocháin agus na nGlinnte 40 20 20 50%
Comhairle Ceantair Ard Mhacha, Dhroichead na Banna agus Craigavon 41 20 21 49%
Comhairle Ceantair Lios na gCearrbhach agus an Chaisleáin Riabhaigh 40 19 21 48%
Comhairle Ceantair Aontroma agus Bhaile Nua na Mainistreach 40 18 22 45%
Comhairle Ceantair an Dúin Thuaidh agus na hArda 40 15 25 38%
Comhairle Ceantair Lár agus Oirthear Aontroma 40 11 29 28%

 

Torthaí Gaelvóta LE23

#LE23: 5 commitments to the Irish language community in our local councils. 

1. Adopt an Irish Language Policy and Strategy

The Council will adopt a comprehensive Irish language policy and strategy that is in keeping with the Council’s obligations under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and the Identity and Language Act (2022).
An Irish language community stakeholder forum will be developed, seeking continuous input from the Irish language community in the development and implementation of any Irish language policy/strategy
The Council will ensure the establishment of an elected members working group to monitor and make recommendations on the implementation of the policy/strategy

2. Provide services in the Irish language

The Council’s Irish language services will be comprehensively publicised bilingually on a regular basis.
The Council will take progressive measures to tackle discrimination and intolerance as it pertains to the Irish language.
The Council will ensure the full implementation of all language standards, as placed on the Council by the incoming Irish language commissioner.

3. Resource the promotion and safeguarding of the Irish language

The Council will develop a bespoke funding scheme to assist Irish language groups aimed at organising community development activities and/or events.
The Council will establish/ensure a bespoke Seachtain na Gaeilge funding scheme for groups who wish to organise events as part of the two week festival in March.
The council to develop a bespoke scholarship fund for young people and adults to attend the Gaeltacht.

4. Increase the visibility of the Irish language

The Council adopts a street signage policy which is based on best-practice (a simple majority of respondents or 15% of residents).
The Irish language is more visible in the Council area, particularly on signage, in public spaces (for example in parks, leisure centres and council-owned buildings) and in council marketing and branding materials
The Council will disregard any objections to dual language signage where they are rooted in sectarianism.

5. Raise awareness and tackle prejudice

The Council will organise events and workshops aimed at increasing tolerance, understanding and awareness about the Irish language.
The Council will raise awareness amongst Council staff on their duties under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages and the Identity and Language Act through an awareness raising training programme.
The Council will undertake a comprehensive awareness-raising campaign aimed at promoting the Irish language. This will be achieved through the use of social media and advertising on the Council’s online and external platforms and publications.

What Conradh na Gaeilge say →

Your Local Candidates

Write to local candidates in your constituency to ask them to make these commitments: https://www.dearg.ie/ga/uirlisi/gaelvota

Party Positions

Any party or candidate can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if they wish to support the commitments or update their answers and we will make the relevent changes. 

 Here are the reponses we recieved from the parties as of Thursday 4th May 2023. (PDF available here). Updated responses are available upon request via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 


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Below we have included responses from parties that indicated "Eile/Other".

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for responses from individual independent candidates. 

These measures are in line with the Conradh na Gaeilge and CAJ research audit ‘Local Councils, Obligations and the Irish Language: A Framework for Compliance’ (March 2019), Our five commitments are key fundamental actions in ensuring compliance with the relevant international and domestic treaties and agreements, namely, the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages (2001), the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, The Good Friday Agreement (1998), the St Andrew’s Agreement (2006) and Language Identity Bill (2022). For further information contact Conradh na Gaeilge

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.