asked the Minister for Defence whether or not in accordance with Bord na Gaeilge's action plan for Irish, 1983-86: (1) a responsible officer has been appointed within his Department; (2) whether an Irish development committee has been established; and (3) the stage of preparation the action programme for Irish has reached within his Department.
Written Answers. - Action Plan for Irish.
79.
(1) A responsible officer has been appointed in my Department. (2) An Irish development committee has been established. (3) An action programme for Irish is being implemented. Over the past three years 42 officers have availed of the Gaeleagras Gaeltacht scholarship scheme and these officers are deployed throughout the Department. Officers are available in the various sections to conduct business through Irish and notices are displayed in interview rooms that staff will be glad to conduct business through Irish.
Forms which are issued to the public are being examined with a view to having bilingual versions prepared — at present acknowledgment forms and enlistment forms for the Permanent Defence Force and Civil Defence are available in separate Irish and English versions.
The Civil Defence School has offered to provide lectures to schools, community bodies, etc. in Irish as well as English. Arrangements have been made to have instructors undergo formal training in conducting courses through Irish. The annual training directive issued to the Defence Forces specifies that the use of Irish is to be widely encouraged by unit commanders and every encouragement given to have individuals use whatever Irish they have. Irish is used almost exclusively as a medium of training in the First Battalion of the Permanent Defence Force and is also used extensively in the 20th Battalion FCA and in the Military College.