New EU constitution gives boost to Irish language

A special amendment to raise the profile of the Irish language in the EU has been inserted in the new draft constitution for an enlarged union.

Under the new draft constitution, agreed in Brussels today, Citizens would be entitled to write to any EU institution or body in Irish, and receive an answer in Irish.

The EU's classification of languages is a sensitive issue. Irish is already recognised as one of the constitutional languages of the EU but it is not considered one of the working languages.

Up to now those writing to the EU in official languages other than French and English have not been guaranteed a response in the same language.

The Minister for Europe, Mr Dick Roche, said allowing Irish citizens correspond as Gaeilge with the institutions would significantly boost the status of the language in the EU.

Mr Roche said the amendment was one the last things agreed at this morning's discussions.