asked the Minister for Justice if he was aware that a reply dated the 23rd February to a letter in Irish from Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin, dated 22ú Feabhra, 1962, to the County Registrar of the Circuit Court at Naas, County Kildare, requesting the hearing of an appeal case in Irish, was sent in English denying categorically that citizens had any right to elect to have their appeals heard by the courts in Irish, and was addressed to "Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin, Esq."; and what action he proposes to take in these matters, particularly in view of the long-standing instruction that all communications from the public in Irish are to be replied to in Irish by public officials.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Circuit Court Appeal: Hearing in Irish.
46.
I am aware that a reply was sent in English to a letter in Irish received from Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin, and I regret that the official instructions were not complied with in this case. As the instructions, which were issued some 30 years ago, are stated to have been mislaid in the office concerned, I am arranging to have them re-issued to all offices under my control.
I do not accept that the contents of the reply were as stated by the Deputy. The County Registrar indicated what seemed to him to be the position, and concluded by saying that if Gearóid Ó Cuinneagáin felt in any way prejudiced it would be open to him to make such application to the court on the hearing as he might consider necessary.
Could the Minister say if competence in the Irish language is a qualification for appointment to the post of county registrar?
The county registrar in question is competent in the use of the Irish language.
I asked the general question about county registrars?
That is a separate question.