Social Media

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Ceisteanna (437)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

437. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26581/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department takes its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 seriously, and we are committed to providing services in both official languages, including communications campaigns promoting the Irish language at home and overseas around International Mother Language Day, Seachtain na Gaeilge, and European Day of Languages.

The Department, including through our network of global diplomatic Missions, operates a large number of social media accounts which are often targeted at foreign audiences and therefore provide content in multiple languages in addition to English and Irish. Along with running our own communications campaigns around St Patrick’s Day, St Brigid’s Day, Bloomsday, Hallowe’en and other significant events in multiple languages, we also participate in initiatives such as World Portuguese Language Day and International Francophonie Day, amongst others.  In the time available, it is not possible to provide a percentage breakdown of content posted exclusively in English, Irish or both.

Question No. 438 answered with Question No. 434.