Irish becomes official and working language of EU

The Irish language has been unanimously approved by EU foreign ministers as the 21st official working language of the European Union.

The historic decision means that legislation approved by both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers will now be translated into Irish, and interpretation from Irish will be available at European Parliament plenary sessions and some council meetings.

EU foreign ministers approved the Government’s proposal at a meeting today. The new arrangements will come into effect on January 1st, 2007.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern welcomed the decision, saying: “I am very pleased that the Irish language has been accorded official and working status in the European Union.

"This affirms at European level the dignity and status of our first official language. This represents a particularly significant practical step for the Irish language, and complements the Government’s wider policy of strong support for the language at home.

"I am grateful to our EU partners for their agreement to the Government’s proposal,” said Mr Ahern.

The cost of translation, interpretation, publication and legal services involved in making Irish an official EU language has been estimated at just under €3.5 million a year.

The move will be crucial to the revival of the Irish language in urban areas according to Fianna Fáil TD, Pat Carey.

"The Irish language has been enjoying a revival in Finglas, Ballymun and across the Northside in recent years and this decision underlines its status and importance for our national identity. The victory also underlines the international status of our native tongue," said Mr Carey.

"This increased use of language will also give speakers of Irish an opportunity to work as translators within the EU."

Fine Gael Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Spokesperson, Dinny McGinley TD, also welcomed the move but warned that the language is still in danger and establishing it within the EU has little to do with preserving it at home.

"This recognition of the status of the Irish language at EU level is welcome, not least as it will reverse that inexplicable decision made by Fianna Fáil in 1972 when they failed to seek official status for the language," said Mr McGinley.

"This will encourage people to continue their Irish studies and pursue more advanced studies as these jobs will require specialists in modern-day Irish with a real in-depth knowledge of the language.

"I would advise caution, though, that we do not allow this news, while welcome, to lull us into a false sense of security about the fortunes of the Irish language," he added.

"We must not be deflected from the challenges and difficulties facing the Irish language, as indicated by recent surveys and reports, and regardless of its status at EU level, preserving the language has to begin at home."