asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the authorised officer in charge of the Motor Taxation office of the Dublin Corporation at 4 Kildare Street, gave his evidence wholly in English only in the appeal hearing of the Attorney-General v. Ó Cuinneagáin at the Circuit Court in Naas, County Kildare on the 13th March, during what is traditionally regarded as Irish Week, whereas he had given corresponding evidence in Irish only at the hearing of the appeal of the Attorney-General v. Ó Cuinneagáin the Circuit Court, Dublin, on the 2nd February when the same appellant, the same car HYI 448, and the same issue—non-payment of tax for 1961 because of a request by the taxation officer that Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin accept and complete a form in English—were involved; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Circuit Court Appeal: Hearing in Irish.
I understand that the position in relation to evidence given in Court by the officer mentioned is as set out in the Deputy's question. I understand that, in the case of the appeal heard in the Dublin Court, the proceedings were conducted entirely in Irish but that, in the case of the appeal heard in the Naas Court, the proceedings were not so conducted. I am informed that the officer in question was prepared to give evidence in Irish in this case as he had done in the case heard in the Dublin Court.
As to the issue to the vehicle owner concerned of an English version of the form of application for the renewal of a licence, I may say that licensing authorities generally have been instructed by my Department as to the steps to be taken by them in order to ensure that any persons desiring to transact business in Irish are facilitated. The issue of an English form in this case was an oversight which occurred in the course of routine procedure carried out by the licensing authority in the rush period in December/January.