Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
982. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the Irish Deaf Society has established a campaign for official recognition of Irish sign language, if he will take on board the campaign and give recognition to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37180/13]
View answer987. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide official recognition of Irish sign language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37916/13]
View answer1066. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide official recognition of Irish sign language in view of the fact that this is the language used by the deaf community here and take into consideration that 5,000 deaf persons along with 40,000 others such as family, friends, peers and so on use it daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37436/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 982, 987 and 1066 together.
As the Deputies will be aware one of the commitments in the Programme for Government is to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish Sign Language". This process has already commenced.
At my request the National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Society in Ireland and submissions were received from them in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people. Those submissions were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan which was published in July 2013 on the Department of Justice website. The National Disability Strategy is a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the social inclusion of people with disabilities.
In line with the policy of mainstreaming, sign language is reflected in the responsibility of several Ministers. Policy in the area of language for people with disabilities is reflected in the Education Act 1998 (learning through Irish Sign Language), the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 (language assessment) and the Disability Act 2005 (Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Service and Information provided by Public Bodies). In addition the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) is provided for under the Citizens Information Board. With regard to EU Directive 2010/64/EU on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings, Ireland's existing arrangements for translation and interpretation already meet, in practice, the requirements of the Directive.
It must be pointed out however, that there are no plans to recognise ISL as Ireland's third official language. It is mechanisms for the further promotion and recognition of ISL that are being examined, in consultation with The Deaf Society, so that an agreed platform can be reached in relation to the form of recognition that is possible.
The existing legislation in Ireland gives a level of recognition and practical measures equal to, or above that, in countries which have formally recognised sign language.
