Trevor Sargent
Ceist:1 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the progress his Department has made in meeting the bilingual demands of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30217/05]
Ceisteanna — Questions.
Irish Language.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:2 D'fhiafraigh Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Taoiseach an dtabharfaidh sé tuairisc ar chur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ina Roinn. [31432/05]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:3 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on progress made by his Department in implementing the bilingual requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003. [36867/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.
Is cúis áthais dom deis a bheith agam an Teach a thabhairt cothrom le dáta maidir le scéim mo Ranna faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. I am happy to have this opportunity of bringing the House up to date on my Department's scheme under the Official Languages Act. The scheme was confirmed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, in July, and came into effect on 1 September 2005.
During the lifetime of the scheme, until September 2008, we made the following undertakings: on the Department of the Taoiseach websites, the text and graphics on the main pages will be available in both English and Irish; the existing range of documents published in both languages will be expanded; Saturday tours of Government Buildings will be provided in Irish on request; building on our current arrangements whereby a number of staff with proficiency in Irish handle queries for the whole Department, we will seek to ensure that at least one staff member in each division has proficiency in Irish; we will provide ongoing training and development opportunities to improve the Department's Irish language capability; and we will set up an Irish language network of officers interested in Irish, who will share information and advise on, and participate in, implementation of the scheme.
We have already put in place a number of measures to implement these commitments. We carried out an evaluation of Irish language proficiency among staff and commissioned in-house training to meet their specific needs. A glossary of technical terms relating to the work of the Department is being prepared, to assist staff in writing official documents and to ensure consistency of language use. The Irish language network had its first meeting and opportunities for staff to meet informally to speak Irish are being arranged. A module on customer service in Irish and the implications of the Official Languages Act has been included in our induction training for new staff and we provided advice to all staff members on the implications of the Act and on the provisions of our scheme.
I am happy my Department's scheme enables us to improve the service we provide to the public in Irish and to develop a positive culture that encourages the use of Irish both within the Department and with our customers.
Tá Alt 7 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ag teacht i bhfeidhm i mí Iúil. Deir sé, a luaithe agus is féidir tar éis aon Acht den Oireachtas a achtú, déanfar an téacs a chló agus a fhoilsiú comhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangacha oifigiúla. Beidh Achtanna nua ar fáil as Béarla agus as Gaeilge. Cad iad na socruithe atá déanta ag a Roinn le cur i bhfeidhm ansin? An bhfuil sé sásta go mbeidh an obair sin i dTithe an Oireachtais? Tá an t-airgead curtha ar fáil ag an Roinn Airgeadais lena dhéanamh ach tá leisce i measc roinnt daoine an t-airgead sin a thabhairt don Oireachtas. Tá daoine taobh amuigh de na Tithe ar lorg an airgid sin. An aontaíonn an Taoiseach gur cheart, nuair atá Bille ar fáil, obair a thosú ar an aistriúchán go mbeidh sé ar fáil nuair a bheidh an tAcht i bhfeidhm? Déanfar é sin níos fearr má dhéanfar san Oireachtas é.
I will do my best to follow the Deputy's question. I understand Deputy Sargent is asking about the delay between the publication of the Irish version of Bills and other documents. I am disappointed if that is the case and the Deputy correctly stated the Department of Finance has provided the resources to the Houses of the Oireachtas and to Departments to provide a translation service. A number of companies are providing a service used by Departments for translation purposes. Within the service, a number of individuals are providing the staff to do so.
I readily admit it will take us some time to build up sufficient staff across all functional areas to provide a comprehensive service. I speak with reference to my Department. A core group of staff exists to translate and deal with memoranda and letters but we do not have them in every area. In the normal course we would segregate correspondence to the section but we must use the core group of staff to improve the service. Based on what the Coimisinéir Teanga stated, my Department has sought to increase staff training at an advanced and junior level. We have built up a dossier of translations to try to create uniformity of reply in Departments. While there have been some delays, we have tried hard and over the period of the programme will continue to try to get proficiency in handling queries for each division. That will take work and time but over the period of the plan we should be able to do so.
Ní bhfuair mé freagra ar an gceist. I regret the Taoiseach was unable to pick up what I said. The Ceann Comhairle has no problem using the headphones to access the interpreting service and it is quite straightforward. The translation department would have interpreted what I said into English. I must now say it in English as it was not clear enough.
I referred to Acts, not to correspondence or documentation that may have to be translated under the Act. I referred to section 7, the English version of which states: "As soon as may be after the enactment of any Act of the Oireachtas, the text thereof shall be printed and published in each of the official languages simultaneously". That section is to come into force in July and the Department of Finance has provided funding, which I acknowledge.
Will Tithe an Oireachtais be allowed to carry out work that it is capable of doing, given that it has the Bill from the earliest point of publication and the translation work is almost finished by the time the Bill is passed? An effort is being made to take that work from Tithe an Oireachtais and outsource it. This would be grossly inefficient as well as underusing the resources at our disposal in Tithe an Oireachtais. I appreciate outside companies may need to do work on documentation and end-of-year publications. In respect of legislation, can the Taoiseach state he will support Tithe an Oireachtais carrying out this work, as opposed to outsourcing it, given the availability of expertise and experience in the Houses, the staff of which have worked with Bills from publication? It is on this issue I sought the opinion of the Taoiseach.
I did understand the Deputy although I am not brilliant. Tithe an Oireachtais is a matter for the Houses but I stated there are five companies available to do work. How the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Department of Finance have deployed resources is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas. I stated what my Department is trying to do.
A person who was previously in this position stated that the best translators in the land were in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and I always sought the opinion of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the Irish name when we were setting up an organisation.
I referred to companies that we are using to comply with other areas of the Act and the measures undertaken in my Department. I have nothing other than the greatest confidence in the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Tá brón orm ach níl mé cinnte ón bhfreagra. An gcuireann Roinn an Taoisigh ranganna Gaeilge ar fáil don fhoireann? Cad iad na céimeanna atá glactha go dtí seo ag Roinn an Taoisigh le scéim faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chur i bhfeidhm? I wish to know if Irish language classes are being made available within the Department of the Taoiseach. As well as according the public the right to deal with the Department and its agencies in Irish, does the Taoiseach accept it is important to encourage the use of Irish within the Department and the Civil Service? What steps have been taken by the Department of the Taoiseach and the agencies under its aegis to put in place a scheme under the Act?
The Secretary General conducted an internal staff survey on how best to implement the scheme. While we had a core group of staff who were extremely proficient in writing, speaking and communicating in Irish, many staff members who were fairly good at Irish did not feel proficient enough to deal with it in everyday situations. Others identified themselves as moderately to very proficient.
The decision was to organise a series of courses for those who are very proficient and those who are less so. The courses are run by Gaeleagras and other outside providers, based on the different levels of proficiency in Irish of the staff. We have also organised in-house language training. The uptake on that has been good, with one class attended by 11 or 12 members of staff. The more advanced work is being done by Gaeleagras.
As I said to Deputy Sargent, it will take us some time to be able to build up the proficiency levels based on these courses and to have somebody in each section of the Department who is proficient in Irish. My Department, unlike others, does not have a high level of engagement with the public, but it deals with other Departments and we want to be able to do that through Irish, if necessary. It is confidently felt that over the period up to 2008, we will be able to do what Coimisinéir na Teanga has asked us to do and honour the commitments I gave in my earlier reply. A great effort is being made by the management, the management advisory committee and staff in the Department. There is no difficulty in getting people to take part in courses and build up their proficiency, but it will take some time.
I am glad to note that classes are being held in the Department of the Taoiseach. I do not know if he has attended any classes himself.
The Deputy should not even go there.
I hope the emphasis is on oral Irish and that the Department is in a position to stimulate people to want to participate in speaking the language. When the Taoiseach's Department receives correspondence as Gaeilge, that is, letters in Irish, are the personnel in his Department competent enough to respond in Irish?
That brings me to another issue which perhaps the Ceann Comhairle might deal with. I have received several hundred letters in Irish recently because of my comments regarding the standard of the Irish language. There is no facility for Deputies in the House to respond in Irish to letters they receive in Irish. I can speak the language but I cannot write it competently. When I made inquiries of the translation service in the House, I discovered that the staff there are prohibited from undertaking such work. Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission might consider making appropriate arrangements so that any Deputy who receives a letter as Gaeilge and who wants to reply as Gaeilge can write the answer in English and have it translated into Irish by staff in the Houses. It would be beneficial for Deputies to be able to reply accurately to letters received in Irish.
As the Deputy rightly said, the second question is a matter for the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas. While referring to it on the floor of the House is an unorthodox way of raising the matter with the Commission, I will be glad to raise the issue.
I will send the Ceann Comhairle a detailed note.
In reply to the first question regarding correspondence in Irish received in my Department, several members of staff can deal with such correspondence. However, we do not have people in every section in the Department who can do so. Such correspondence is dealt with on a departmental basis, which is not perfect. We would like to get to a situation — we include the Secretary General and most of the senior staff who have very good Irish, both oral and written — over the period up to 2008 where we would have a competent person in each section so that people who do not normally deal with correspondence in, for example, the EU division, the economic division or the Northern Ireland division, no longer have to do so. That is the challenge. We are not in that position today but the challenge is to get there. It will probably take approximately three years to achieve that.
Is it intended at any stage to review the efficacy of the Act, how it is functioning and so forth? Does the Taoiseach think, for example, the requirement that every official document be published in both languages is the best use of public money to stimulate greater use of the Irish language? Apart from the cost for every organisation producing a bilingual report, the amount of hours that goes into doing so is considerable. Is that the best use of money or would a similar bequest to TG4 produce a better response from the public? How many Members of this House read the English or Irish version of the documents that land on our desks? If we do not read them in this House, how many people outside read them? I wonder if there is any consideration——
The Act is the responsibility of another Minister. This question should refer specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.
With regard to my Department, implementation of the Act must be kept under review. Deputy Rabbitte makes a fair point about the number of people who will even read the English version of many of the documents, not to mind the Irish version, although that is not to be disrespectful in any way. Another factor that we must watch closely is the overall cost because if it comes to the point where everything must be translated, the cost could be enormous. I have noticed in some written parliamentary questions I have answered on this matter that this has been the case. It is good that there are outside companies to provide the translation service but they can charge a great deal and will do very well.
The initial Supreme Court case referred to a translation requirement for legislation and statutory instruments, if I recall correctly. We will have to keep it under review in the period and that is a fair point to make. After a certain period, we will have to see what the reaction has been. While not wanting to give the wrong impression — I really wish I could speak fluent Irish — the level of engagement in my Department with correspondence in Irish is approximately 1%. Therefore, we would have to justify spending in that context. There are central documents, issues and data that should be translated, but the overall process will have to be kept under review.
Ó thaobh conas a chuirfear i bhfeidhm an tAcht, cad a cheapann an Taoiseach faoi thuairiscí atá foilsithe leis an Ghaeilge agus an Béarla bun os cionn óna chéile? Ní mar sin a bhíonn an saol.
I know the Taoiseach has an interest in Irish but I imagine he would like to see the Irish and the English side by side, as I would because I do not have all of the Irish terminology that is required. Does the Taoiseach think there is a need for his Department to give a lead in that by doing what the Welsh do, whereby the Welsh and English are on the same page and illustrations have both a Welsh and English subtitle? This involves the same amount of work ó thaobh aistriúchán de but would make documents much more practical and accessible to the majority of people on this island who have a certain amount of Irish but would not be as proficient as they are in English or would need some help while reading one or other language. Does the Taoiseach think his Department should give a lead in ensuring that the Welsh model or the model used in Canada or anywhere else where there is a serious effort to facilitate a bilingual community is also followed here?
Subject to correction, the strategy statements of my Department were published in that way. I am not sure what document the Deputy has in front of him, but it is probably the Government mid-term review, which went to an outside company to be translated. I accept that for ease of reading, especially for people without particularly good Irish, it makes sense to have both languages on the same page. As far as I know if strategy statements are prepared in-house they follow the Deputy's preferred method but if done by outside companies they follow that method. I will raise it with officials in my Department.
I will be brief. Does the Taoiseach accept there will be a degree of nervousness within the Irish speaking community and those of goodwill towards the language throughout the country at the response he gave to Deputy Rabbitte to the effect that he was keeping an open mind on the exercise of measures in the Act?
This question refers specifically to the Taoiseach's Department. I suggest the Deputy submits a question directly to the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.
Does the Taoiseach accept it is important to reassure the House that cost factor is not always the priority consideration?
I accept that cost is not always the priority especially with important documents. Deputy Rabbitte made the point that some documents were widely read but others are not. In response to a question here recently I said the cost of preparing a particular document in English was €685 but the cost of the Irish translation was just short of €17,000. In terms of some documents we should not change things, but for others I must consider if that expenditure can be justified in the longer term. Whether a document is important and in demand from Irish speakers should be a consideration.
Is the Taoiseach reviewing how to have documents translated or whether there is a need for them to be translated?
The sheer volume of work involved in translating everything must be kept under review. If a document is important, for example those connected with education, then it must be translated into Irish regardless of cost but the costs over a period of time are substantial and must be taken into account. We will translate everything until 2008 but we have to keep it under review.
Commemorative Events.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach his plans to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31337/05]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:5 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the commemorative events it is planned to undertake in 2006 to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31429/05]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:6 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach the position regarding plans to commemorate the 1916 Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32456/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:7 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the proposals which he has to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32736/05]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:8 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if Independent Deputies will be involved in discussions to progress the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising. [33756/05]
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:9 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach his plans for commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34054/05]
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if, arising from his recent announcement regarding commemoration of the 1916 Rising, he has plans for an annual ceremony to mark the first meeting of Dáil Éireann in January 1919; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35327/05]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:11 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach his proposals for marking the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in 2006. [36868/05]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 11, inclusive, together.
Mindful of the fundamental importance of the Rising to the establishment of the State, I believe it is appropriate that commemorative events should be organised to respectfully acknowledge the achievements and sacrifices of past generations and to inculcate an awareness and appreciation in modern Ireland of the events and issues of those times.
As a first initiative, the commemorative parade by the Defence Forces, Óglaigh na hÉireann, traditionally organised to take place each Easter at the GPO but in abeyance since 1971, will be restored to the annual calendar. I expect that this parade will reflect the evolved role of the Defence Forces and include significant representation of their service abroad with the United Nations.
The commemorative effort next year and in the following years will be an important part of preparations for the centenary celebrations in 2016. I have established an official working group, chaired by my Department, to consider arrangements for 2006 and 2016. They will address all proposals and suggestions received from Deputies in that consideration.
As history has unfolded, the Rising has become a defining event of modern Ireland. Despite different positions, then and since, on the Rising, it is the legacy of all the people of Ireland at home and abroad. I hope that stimulating consideration of the Rising, its origins and its consequences, will contribute to improved awareness and understanding between all our traditions.
Finally, I do not propose to introduce an annual ceremony in recognition of the first meeting of Dáil Éireann. I believe this would be a matter in the first instance for the House.
Any centenary commemoration of 1916 should be a State event. All parties in this House have members with forefathers who were in the GPO in 1916. Would the Taoiseach accept it was inappropriate to announce a commemoration at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis rather on a national platform?
I thank the Taoiseach for his correspondence and have appointed Deputy Timmins, a former member of the Defence Forces, to participate in his group.
How does the Taoiseach see the ceremony unfolding? Will it be confined to O'Connell Street or will there be a military parade from two specified points?
What is the future for the national day of commemoration in the Royal Hospital which the Taoiseach has attended over the years, or the Fianna Fáil commemoration at Bodenstown?
The Taoiseach could have insisted on this parade many years ago when others claimed to be the true Óglaigh na hÉireann and he had to affirm in the House on many occasions that there was only one Irish Army.
Will it be a State ceremony in its entirety? What proposals have been made thus far? Will consideration be given to the fact that it might clash with St Patrick's Day, depending on the fall of Easter?
It is enormously important that it be an inclusive national commemoration. Everybody, from all parties and none, should be involved in it, as happens in other countries. The Rising was a major event, regardless of the different views people may have on it. Those differences existed then as now but people from all sides of the House have forebears who were deeply involved.
At one time circumstances dictated that the parade be discontinued but it is now appropriate, as we move to an end of violence in the North, confirmed by the announcements that have been made this year which make that crystal clear, to celebrate the event. The arrangements should be as for any State occasion with the appropriate protocols for all parties. It will, however, be based primarily on the organisation of the Defence Forces who have expertise in this area.
St. Patrick's Day coincides with Easter in some years and the committee needs to look at that but the parade should show our respect for what the military do at home and abroad. There was a well worked out agreement here on the national day of commemoration, which superseded a range of other events. This was developed in the 1980s, long after the Easter Sunday parade had stopped and it covered a number of events. All the new traditions, religions and groupings are co-ordinating their activities around the national day of commemoration. That will continue. This year 126 different nationalities have entered the State, representing more than 40 religious faiths, and they want to play a part in the national day of commemoration. We must also show respect for Irish people who fought in wars under different flags. Increasingly Irish people have become more inclusive and that is good. The new military museum should help to build such events.
Already there are many ideas and suggestions for the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Some people might say that ten years is a long time for the planning of such an event but to make meaningful decisions it is necessary. Seven years was spent planning for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966 so it is not that long. The House will look at how we can best commemorate this event in a meaningful way for our young people. These events must be planned and financed. Any project worth its salt takes five or six years from beginning to end so we must start work now.
There have been many suggestions as to how we should commemorate this event. It has been discussed at Cabinet in recent years, particularly earlier this summer, but we did not want to move until we had seen the statements of this year. Otherwise we would not have been able to get into this.
Has the exact format of the State's 1916 commemoration been decided? Will it be held on Easter Sunday or Easter Monday? Will it be in Dublin only or will ceremonies take place in different locations throughout the country? We are anxious to know what the Taoiseach has to say on these questions.
With ceremonies, what other initiatives, if any, is the Taoiseach considering to mark the continuing legacy of all the various strands of Irish activism of the day that took part in the Easter Rising — republicans, socialists, trade unionists, feminists and Irish language activists, to name but a few? Are there ideas arising from those various strands of participants for the commemoration of the legacy of 1916?
A question, please.
Will the Taoiseach indicate if there could be liaison with the trade union movement or other groups to establish scholarships for education in the ideas of James Connolly or the Irish language?
Other Deputies are offering so the Deputy should be brief.
I would appreciate the Taoiseach's detailed reply. I concur with Deputy Rabbitte's question on the first Dáil. I look forward to that event being recorded and commemorated. Would it not be a worthy response if both Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy Kenny would agree to the Taoiseach's proposal for the participation of MPs from the North in a committee of the entire Dáil? Would that not be an appropriate way to mark the event?
We are going way beyond the question and I suggest that the Deputy reads the Standing Order on questions. Making a Second Stage speech in the form of a question is not appropriate.
I will not anticipate the recommendations of the working group on commemoration. It will prepare a plan for next year and for a centenary programme that takes account of all the suggestion made. We will leave that to the group.
A number of events are planned. UCD will hold a conference on the issue over Christmas and UCC will hold a conference early in the new year. A commemorative stamp will be issued and there will be commemorations of other military traditions. The Irish dimension in the US, Northern Ireland engagements and commemorations of other traditions are being explored but it is best to leave them to the committee.
Will the Taoiseach ensure maximum support among all Oireachtas Members for the 1916 celebrations? Will he ensure that the voluntary and community sectors are invited to take part? Will he include Independent Deputies in the planning process? In line with the 1916 vision and its core democratic principles, will he implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas joint committee on the inclusion of political representatives from the North in debates in the Oireachtas?
In accordance with the democratic principles outlined in the 1916 proclamation and the need for equality, fair play and justice, will the Taoiseach distance himself from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's disgraceful attack and comments on the Centre for Public Inquiry and his bandying allegations in a manner totally inappropriate for a Minister in that Department? The Minister's comments on individuals and the Centre for Public Inquiry were a national disgrace and completely at odds with the democratic principles expressed in the 1916 proclamation.
That does not arise. The Deputy must find another way to raise the issue. As I pointed out to Deputy Ó Caoláin, other Deputies are offering and Deputy McGrath should consider them.
We will, of course, try to ensure the process is as inclusive as possible. It is important that everyone is involved not just in the restarting of the 1916 commemorative parade but in the events that will take place in the period ahead and that they are organised in a thoughtful and useful way.
I should have mentioned that educational scholarships in the names of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising exist already.
Is the Taoiseach not concerned that the initiative to commemorate the 1916 Rising in this fashion has been undermined by his decision to announce it in a partisan way at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis?
The Labour Party is happy to nominate someone to the committee suggested by the Taoiseach but there are other events that might equally be commemorated, upon which we bestow no thought. We in this House are the successors of those who met in the Mansion House in 1919. That act of self-determination is largely ignored while we have various versions of commemoration of 1916. Should that not be taken into consideration?
Does the Taoiseach not agree that it is remarkable that there is no list of those who died in the War of Independence and the Civil War? Would that not be an appropriate method of commemoration, taking action to research such a list of those who lost their lives between 1916 and 1923?
I agree with what the Taoiseach said about 126 nationalities and 40 different faiths. Would he take a leaf from the books of other countries, where independence days are celebrations of where they have arrived and where they are going as well as where they have come from? Will the Taoiseach ensure all political viewpoints are represented on any organising committee as well as other elements of diversity? I will not go into this in detail. Will the Taoiseach set a date by which all parties and Independents will be consulted on this matter?
I do not want to anticipate the group's recommendations. We had a commemoration of the First Dáil and it is a matter for the House if Members wish to do more. We have also examined commemorations of other traditions this year and next year. A number of commemorative events have taken place. A stamp commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme was printed and colours of Irish regiments disbanded in 1922 were returned to the military museum exhibition at Collins Barracks, which included special recognition of Irish soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross. Everything cannot be commemorated in one year but these matters can be examined and brought forward in the upcoming period, beginning next year.