Foras na Gaeilge Grúpa Idir-Rannach Feidhmithe na Cairte / ICIG 24 Eanáir 2008

An Staid reatha i dTÉ/Current position in NI European Charter Code of Courtesy – August 2005 St. Andrew’s Agreement Act - strategy DE Strategy for Languages Language Act

Roles, Responsibilities and Obligations – Guidance Departments must: Keep at all times within the spirit of the Charter, as reflected in Part II. Ensure all staff are familiar with those provisions of the Charter that apply to Irish and Ulster-Scots and know how their department will implement them. Fulfil the specific obligations that relate to them under Part III of the Charter. Seek legal advice if there are difficulties with discretionary aspects of the Charter.

Charter Objectives – Part 2 the recognition of the regional or minority languages as an expression of cultural wealth; the need for resolute action to promote regional or minority languages in order to safeguard them; the facilitation and/or encouragement of the use of regional or minority languages, in speech and writing, in public and private life; the provision of appropriate forms and means for the teaching and study of regional or minority languages at all appropriate stages;

Charter Objectives  Eliminate restrictions on the use of languages,  Ensure that users of minority languages are not excluded from society  Include language users in the decision-making processes that affect their language  Take ‘resolute action’ to promote regional or minority languages  Ensure that languages are dealt with appropriately within the education system.

Charter Objectives Maintain Safeguard Protect St. Andrew’s: “adapt a strategy to enhance and protect the development of...” Implementation plan

Linguistic developments An Foras Teanga – various schemes ILBF Ulster Scots Academy IME, SMUC, QUB/UU Gaeltacht Quarter Limited services

The way forward/Bealach chun tosaigh Perceptions are everything Two way street – need to help one another and build capacity Language of choice Question of Access

The way forward/Bealach chun tosaigh (ar lean) Proactive – as recommended in Part 2: Publicise services available Normalisation process DE strategy for languages – LINK? Joined up approach – DE & DHSSPS

Simple steps Audit – linguistic ability/willingness to provide a service Prepare and implement a plan based on the audit Signage – in all State Departments and public / local Authorities as well as road signage Road signage – An Cheathrú Gaeltachta Preferred version of name and full address at all times and in all kinds of documentation Publish certain documents – choose the audience Front line services – planned introduction

Simple steps Provision for teaching of languages on a wider basis Provision of “cultural studies” on a proper footing Build on services Publish – use the net / Co-operate Initiate the repeal of the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) (Positive messages)

Achoimre / Synopsis Audit Signage Publish Front line services Steady progress