THE IRISH language commissioner, An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, has welcomed the publication of a book reviewing case law and recent legislation in Irish as “a valuable resource” for students of law and those who wish to access the legal system using the Irish language.
Edited by Caroline O'Connor BL and Dr Elaine Fahey BL, Súil ar an Dlí(An Eye on the Law) is the first in a series of publications in which senior counsel and academics consider recent developments in public and private law.
The current edition examines legal cases and legislation dating from the last legal year.
It includes chapters on the Lisbon Treaty, company law, the constitutional amendment on the protection of children, the question of Irish as an official language, employment law, the law relating to management companies, and developments relating to judicial review proceedings and leave.
Speaking in Irish, Mr Ó Cuirreáin told The Irish Timesthe book would be a resource for those who want to practise law through Irish, and for those who wish to attend to their legal matters through the language.
“This book will give confidence to those who are studying law as it provides an insight into legal terminology and shows that complex, legalistic arguments can be made in Irish.”
The commissioner said it was acknowledged internationally that “if you leave the language out of any domain, it reduces the chances of survival. It has to be facilitated in all areas of life, and the courts are very important in that respect.”
Under the Official Languages Act, anyone can seek to take a case, defend a case or give evidence in court through Irish.
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