THE status of the Irish language in the EU has received an unexpected boost due to the late insertion of a Belgian proposal into the treaty. Citizens will now be entitled to write to any EU institution or body in Irish, and receive an answer in Irish. Up to this the EU institutions were under no such obligation.
The EU's classification of languages is complex and sensitive. English and French are the working languages; all 12 national languages - including Irish - in the Union are recognised in the treaty; and all of these languages - except Irish - are designated as official languages.
The distinction means that while Irish is recognised in the treaty as a national language, and key documents such as treaties are published in Irish, routine documents are not. Nor is any correspondence sent in the language.
In addition, 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 EU institutions are entitled to reply to letters in Greek or Spanish, for example, in French or English.
Now a new sub paragraph has been written into the EU treaty stating: "Every citizen of the Union may write to any of the institutions or bodies referred to in this Article or in Article 4 in one of the languages mentioned in Article 248 (1) and have an answer in the same language."
Belgium proposed this because of the deep irritation felt by its Flemish speaking majority at receiving replies in French to letters in Flemish. Ireland gave the proposal enthusiastic support.