The first public listing of accredited Irish language translators was announced by Foras na Gaeilge yesterday in an effort to standardise the sector and respond to the increasing demand for translators.
The 54 accredited translators are the first to emerge from a new accreditation system for Irish/English language translators, which required a minimum 70 per cent grade in an open examination. Before the introduction of the system in January, there was no specific accreditation for Irish language translators.
Of the 134 people who sat the examination in April, 54 of the applicants reached the required grade and will now be listed on the www.gaeilge.ie website as accredited translators.
The process pioneered by Foras na Gaeilge follows an increased demand for Irish language translators since the enactment of the Official Languages Act, 2003.
Acting chief executive of Foras na Gaeilge, Ferdie Mac an Fhailligh, said the exams undertaken by translators were completely unprecedented and posed the difficult challenge of obtaining 70 per cent.
"Today's announcement marks only the first stage in a long-term process that will see many more translators accredited. Our commitment is not just to the achievement of standards but also to maintaining them," he said.
Mr Mac an Fhailligh said those placed on the panel will have their work assessed and will be obliged to re-sit the accreditation examination once every five years. The accreditation system will provide a process for the public and private sectors to register complaints, which will be comprehensively investigated.