‘Irish language community to meet with TDs and Senators on Zoom to discuss Irish language and Gaeltacht priorities’
The Conradh na Gaeilge annual advocacy event #SEAS will move online this year following updated COVID-19 health restrictions. TDs and Senators will meet with Irish language constituents and members of Conradh na Gaeilge via Zoom today, Wednesday 23rd of September, and again next week on Wednesday 30th September.
This year’s agenda will be focusing on the most pressing issues regarding the Irish language and Gaeltacht and will include calls for:
- Additional funding of €15m+ in the incoming 2021 budget to kickstart the Irish language and Gaeltacht sectors and groups as we continue to deal with the impact of COVID-19 across the island. This additional funding will help Údarás na Gaeltachta create much needed jobs and support the language planning initiatives, whilst additional funding for Foras na Gaeilge will meet demand and need for central community schemes such as An Scéim Pobail Ghaeilge and others in the Irish language Investment Plan, all of which has been agreed by 80+ Irish language and Gaeltacht groups, as well as funding TG4 and other media outlets.
- Additional amendments to the Official Languages Act to ensure a deadline of 2030 is added to the Bill regarding 20% employment in the Civil-Service with Irish and 2030 is also the fixed date for ensuring all services for Gaeltacht communities are available through Irish.
- Further proposals regarding a National Policy for a Gaeltacht Housing Policy alongside a continuous and comprehensive Policy for the Irish language in the education system from pre-school to third-level.
Dr Niall Comer, President, Conradh na Gaeilge, said:
“#SEAS is a fantastic opportunity for the Irish language community to remind our elected representatives of the most pressing issues facing the language and it’s speakers. Many TDs and Senators may be well used to hearing these messages but it is hugely important that we remind them of all of the challenges and opportunities we are facing. This message is especially important this year as we attempt to deal with the challenges of Covid in our communities. Conradh na Gaeilge and members of local constituencies look forward to meeting with our politicians during the day and again next week, 30th September as we seek support from all politicians and parties for our proposals.”
Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge said:
“For the first time in many years we now have sitting Governments north and south. This means that for the first time in many years the cross-border funding structures are in place to provide much needed support and financial stimulus to our communities through Foras na Gaeilge, as agreed by over 80 Irish language and Gaeltacht groups in the Irish language investment plan. The need for additional funding and interventions in the Gaeltacht to create jobs and support the language planning process has been well voiced again and again, as has the need for strengthening the provision in the Official Languages Act to ensure that the facilitation of the language rights of native and those interested in using Irish are strengthened. Conradh na Gaeilge believes our funding and legislative proposals can resolve some of the most pressing problems but if we are to truly effect long-term sustainable change then our elected representatives must act on our proposals, have a vision for the future of our language and our Gaeltachts, and the political will to see it through.
FURTHER INFORMATION & PICTURES
Róisín Ní Mhaoláin
Feidhmeannach Cumarsáide
+353 87 6338931 | +353 (0)1 4757401 |
See live thread: https://twitter.com/cnag/status/1308662774193586176?s=21
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:
Julian de Spáinn
Ard-Rúnaí - Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 (0)86 8142757 | +353 (0)1 4757401 |
Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha
Bainisteoir Abhcóideachta, Leas-ArdRúnaí, Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 (0)87 4188050 | +353 (0)91 567824 |
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community. The Conradh has over 200 branches and numerous individual members registered around the world, members that work hard to promote the use of Irish in their own areas. Conradh na Gaeilge’s main aim is to promote the use of Irish as the standard language in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge was established by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, and their colleagues on the 31st of July 1893. The organisation runs Irish-language courses; advocates for the language rights of Irish-speakers; raises awareness about the language; hosts the international Irish-language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge; manages the Irish-language information hub PEIG.ie and the Irish-language bookshop An Siopa Leabhar; supports Raidió Rí-Rá; and much more. More information: www.cnag.ie
