Galway County Council yesterday became the first local authority to introduce a translation service to allow full debates in English and Irish.
Councillors can now hear a simultaneous translation whenever a member uses the Irish language at meetings.
The new service was introduced by the Minister of State for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mr Eamon O Cuiv.
The Minister said he looked forward to the day when people would be able to have all their dealings with the local authority as Gaeilge.
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The council intends to open a south Connemara office to provide a better service to Irish-speakers. Twenty officials are currently attending a two-year diploma course in Irish at NUI Galway.