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.
Results of #LE23
| Comhairle | Líon Iomlán Suíochán | Ar son #Gaelvóta | Nach bhfuil Báúil | Céatadán 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% |
#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
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
Below we have included responses from parties that indicated "Eile/Other".
- Socialist Party NI - Additional Information Given
- Cross-Community Labour Alternative - Additional Information Given
- Workers Party - Additional Information Given
Please contact
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
