asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is correct that National Health Insurance cards for the coming year are to be printed in English only; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for this departure from previous practice and whether he is aware that this slight on the national language is resented by numbers of citizens.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance Cards Printed in English.
It is not correct to say that National Health Insurance cards for the coming year are to be printed in English only; these cards have already been printed in Irish and in English. Any person who has been supplied with the English version and who desires the Irish version may exchange his card for the Irish version by applying to the head office of Cumann an Árachais Náisiúnta ar Shláinte, 9/10 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin, or to a local office or local agent of the society.
Can the Minister say what is the difficulty in acceding to the suggestion that was made here a few days ago of issuing the cards first in Irish and then telling anybody who wants to exchange them for English cards that they can so exchange? Is the Minister further aware that Deputies on both sides of the House will resist any attempt at backsliding so far as the promulgation of the Irish language is concerned?
The printing of the cards was done on information available to the society as to the numbers required. English cards are available for anybody who wants them. All cards are supplied by the society.
This is a very retrograde step.