asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what regulations exist governing the use of the Irish language by members of the Defence Forces, and if any new regulations or recommendations in this regard were made by him.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Irish Language by Defence Forces.
Regulations which have been in existence for some time past provide that:—
(a) a cadet must pass an oral test, conducted by the Civil Service Commissioners, in Irish before being appointed to be an officer;
(b) an officer of the rank of lieutenant who is appointed to be an officer following a cadet course must pass a qualifying test in Irish before being considered eligible for promotion to the rank of captain. The standard of this test, which is conducted by a board of officers appointed by the Ceann Fóirne, is based on the practical application of the language to normal service requirements.
A recent general routine order directs that all official written communications must be addressed, and authenticated as to name, rank and appointment, in Irish.
No new regulations in this regard have been made by me. I have made recommendations for the expansion of the use of Irish, consistent with military efficiency, in the Defence Forces and these are being put into effect by the military authorities.
Does the effect of the Minister's reply mean that a routine order has been made providing that communications shall be signed by the officer in his Irish style and giving his rank in Irish?
General routine orders are not made by the Minister but by the Ceann Foirne and he has made a routine order to the effect that written communications are to be addressed and signed by the officer in the Irish language with the Irish form of his rank and appointment.
Was that routine order made at the direction of the Minister?
No—not directly.
Was it made indirectly?
I did not give any instructions as to the officer's name actually being in Irish, but I did regarding his rank on appointment and that communications be addressed in Irish.
I just want to understand is the purpose of this new routine order to assist in the saving of the Irish language?
It is to have more use made of the Irish language in the Defence Forces.
And the extra use is that of the officer concerned signing his name in Irish with his Irish rank?
Yes.
I never heard such nonsense in my life.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if a knowledge of the Irish language is essential for promotion in the Defence Forces, and, if so, if he has satisfied himself that the efficiency of the Defence Forces will not be impaired thereby with dangerous results in time of war or emergency.
Since 1949 officers of Na Buan-Óglaigh of the rank of lieutenant who were appointed to be officers following a cadet course are required to pass a qualifying test in Irish before being considered eligible for promotion to the rank of captain. Personnel other than these are not required to have a knowledge of Irish as a condition for promotion.
I am satisfied that the efficiency of Óglaigh na hÉireann would not be impaired in time of war or emergency as a result of this requirement.
Will it be increased?
On that matter, would the Minister say, if we had the Tan War all over again, he would make that order for the lieutenant or company commander?
What order?
That he must know Irish before he can be a lieutenant or a company commander or an A.S.U. commander?
That has been a condition since 1949. It is not a very onerous condition, since every person educated in the country for a considerable time has been taught the Irish language and, therefore, has already got a knowledge of Irish before he joins the Army as a cadet.