Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Ceisteanna (331, 335)

John Lahart

Ceist:

331. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if English will continue to be one of the working languages of the European institutions post-Brexit. [5343/17]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

335. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if English will remain an official language of the European Union after Brexit; and the discussions taking place in this regard. [5865/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 335 together.

The status of the English language as an official and working language of the EU institutions will not be altered as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Article 342 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that the rules governing the languages of the EU institutions shall be determined by the Council, acting unanimously by means of regulations. Regulation No. 1 of 1958, as amended over the years, is the relevant Regulation in this regard. A unanimous decision of the Council is required to add a new language to the list contained in the Regulation, or to remove a language from the list.