Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Annual Report2019...Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Annual Report Don Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta: De réir alt 30 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla,

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil

Annual Report

2019www.coimisineir.ie

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil

Annual Report

Don Aire Cultúir,Oidhreachta agusGaeltachta:

De réir alt 30 d’Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003, tá anTuarascáil seo don bhliain 2019á cur i láthair ag an gCoimisinéirTeanga.

Rónán Ó DomhnaillAn Coimisinéir TeangaFeabhra 2020

2019

To the Minister forCulture, Heritage andthe Gaeltacht:

In accordance with section 30of the Official Languages Act2003, this Report for 2019 ispresented by An CoimisinéirTeanga.

Rónán Ó DomhnaillAn Coimisinéir TeangaFebruary 2020

MISSION STATEMENT“Protecting Language Rights”

To provide an independent quality service whilst fulfilling ourstatutory obligations to ensure state compliance in relation tolanguage rights.

To ensure fairness for all by dealing in an efficient, professional andimpartial manner with complaints regarding difficulties in accessingpublic services through the medium of Irish.

To provide clear and accurate information:

• to the public in relation to language rights,

and

• to public bodies in relation to language obligations.

RÁITEAS MISIN“Ag cosaint cearta teanga”

Seirbhís neamhspleách ar ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil igcomhlíonadh ár ndualgas reachtúil le cinntiú go ndéanann anstátchóras beart de réir a bhriathair maidir le cearta teanga.

Cothrom na Féinne a chinntiú do chách trí ghearáin maidir ledeacrachtaí teacht ar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a láimhseáil arbhealach atá éifeachtach, gairmiúil agus neamhchlaonta.

Eolas soiléir, cruinn a chur ar fáil:

• don phobal maidir le cearta teanga,

agus

• do chomhlachtaí poiblí maidir le dualgais teanga.

MISSION STATEMENT“Protecting Language Rights”

To provide an independent quality service whilst fulfilling ourstatutory obligations to ensure state compliance in relation tolanguage rights.

To ensure fairness for all by dealing in an efficient, professional andimpartial manner with complaints regarding difficulties in accessingpublic services through the medium of Irish.

To provide clear and accurate information:

• to the public in relation to language rights,

and

• to public bodies in relation to language obligations.

3Tuarascáil Bhliantúil | Annual Report 2019

Réamhrá | Foreword 6

Seirbhísí Eolais agus Cumarsáide | Information and Communications Services 13

Cumainn | Associations 16

Imscrúduithe | Investigations 19

Achoimrí ar Imscrúduithe 2019 | Summaries of 2019 Investigations 20

Comhairle Contae Chiarraí | Kerry County Council 20

Comhairle Contae na Mí | Meath County Council 24

Comhairle Contae Loch Garman | Wexford County Council 26

Comhairle Contae Lú | Louth County Council 28

Comhairle Contae Cheatharlach | Carlow County Council 31

Gearáin | Complaints 35

Faireachán | Monitoring 46

Scéimeanna Teanga | Language Schemes 52

Cúrsaí Airgeadais | Financial Matters 55

Nochtadh Cosanta | Protected Disclosure 56

Dualgas na hEarnála Poiblí um Chomhionannas agus Cearta an DuinePublic Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty 56

Úsáid Fuinnimh | Energy Usage 57

Foireann | Staff 58

CLÁR | CONTENTS

4 Tuarascáil Bhliantúil | Annual Report 2019

ACHOIMRE AR AN mBLIAIN 2019

Ardú 11% arfhigiúr na blianaseo caite (638).

704 18%Tháinig

de nagearáin ónnGaeltacht.

Tháinig

de na gearáin ó Bhaile Átha Cliath.

Comhairle curtha ar chomhlachtaí poiblí ar

122

Imscrúduithe

Chomhairle Contae.

tugtha chun críche arImscrúdú déanta den

ar fhoráil den Acht umPleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000.

chéad uair

Foilsíodh anchéad

i mí Iúil.

TuarascáilFaireacháin

déanta ar chur ibhfeidhm moltaí i gcás

Faireachán7 nimscrúdú.

‘Sceideal’ nuade chomhlachtaí poiblí atá le teacht faoi scáth an Achta foilsithe.

daingnitheag an Aire.

Bille nadTeangachaOifigiúla(Leasú)foilsithe i mí naNollag.

Ionann is

faoi dheireadh nabliana.


OVERVIEW OF 2019

11% increase onlast year (638).

704 18%of complaints camefrom the Gaeltacht.

of complaints came from Dublin.

Advice given to state bodies on

122 separate occasions.

Investigations

CountyCouncilsconcluded.

into

An investigation carried outfor the

on a provision of the Planningand Development Act 2000.

first time

The first

published in July.

MonitoringReport

carried out on the implementationof recommendations made in

Monitoring7 investigations.

new ‘schedule’of public bodies that are tocome under the Act.

6 new language schemesconfirmed bythe Minister.

OfficialLanguages(Amendment)Billpublished inDecember.

Almost

by yearend2019.

50%of languageschemes hadexpired

Publication of a


RÉAMHRÁ

Tháinig ardú suntasach ar líon na ngearánchun na hOifige i mbliana. Cé gobhféadfaí breathnú air seo mar léiriú armhuinín an phobail san Oifig léiríonn séfreisin an deacracht leanúnach atá agsaoránaigh teacht ar sheirbhísí poiblí inGaeilge. Faraor, ní raibh ar ár gcumasthart ar leath na ngearán a fhiosrú debharr nár tháinig ábhar na ngearán sin,den chuid is mó, faoi chuimsiú Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla ná faoi chuimsiú aonachtachán eile a bhain le stádas nó le húsáidteanga oifigiúla.

Is seanscéal é ag an tráth seo, na deacrachtaí abhíonn ag daoine seirbhísí, fiú uaireanta naseirbhísí is bunúsaí, a fháil ón Stát i nGaeilge.Tarlaíonn seo go minic de bharr easpa líonleordhóthanach foirne sa tseirbhís phoiblí lehinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge agus de thoradhreachtaíocht nach bhfuil cuimsitheach a dóthainnó, go deimhin, de thoradh easpa reachtaíochta.Is léir, mar sin, an suntas a bhaineann le foilsiúBhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) ag deireadhna bliana. D’fháiltigh mé roimh fhoilsiú an Bhilleag an am, ach léirigh mé imní mar go raibh ag teipar an mBille dul i ngleic mar ba chóir leis an easpacinnteachta maidir le soláthar seirbhísí Stáit tríGhaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus an easpa spriocamanna do chúrsaí earcaíochta agus nithe eile.

Foilsíodh sceideal nua de chomhlachtaí poiblí atále teacht faoi scáth Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúlai mbliana. Bhí an nuashonrú seo ag teastáil gogéar, agus os cionn 10 mbliana caite ó tugadh ansceideal cothrom le dáta. Más mall is mithid agustáim sásta go dtabharfar na comhlachtaí poiblí abunaíodh ón mbliain 2006 i leith faoi scáth nareachtaíochta ag an tráth seo.

In 2019 chomh maith, d’fhoilsíomar ár gcéadTuarascáil Faireacháin. Nuair a chinn mé deireadha chur leis an ngrinnmhonatóireacht ar chórasfabhtach na Scéimeanna Teanga bhí médiongbháilte go dtiocfadh córas monatóireachtanua ina áit a bheadh fiúntach agus a bheadhéifeachtach. Díríodh i dtuarascáil na bliana 2018ar an líon foirne le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge i rannarialtais, suíomhanna gréasáin na núdarás áitiúilagus ar chomharthaíocht ag suíomhannaoidhreachta. Faoi láthair tá bailchríoch á cur againnar obair faireacháin na bliana seo agus foilseoimidár ndara tuarascáil faireacháin i samhradh 2020.

FOREWORD

This year saw a substantial increase inthe number of complaints received bythe Office. Whilst this can be viewed asan expression of confidence in the Officefrom the public it also highlights thecontinued difficulties citizens experienceaccessing public services through Irish.Unfortunately, we were unable toinvestigate approximately half of the

complaints we received, primarily as the mattersraised weren’t encompassed under the OfficialLanguages Act or any other enactment relatingto the use of an official language.

The difficulty people have securing services fromthe State, even the most basic of services onoccasion, through Irish, is an old chestnut at thisstage. This often occurs as a result of aninsufficient number of personnel in the publicservice with competence in the Irish languageand due to legislation that isn’t comprehensiveenough or, indeed, due to a complete lack oflegislation. This highlights the significance of thepublication of the Official Languages(Amendment) Bill at the end of the year. Iwelcomed the publication of the Bill at the timebut referenced some concerns I have with itsfailure to adequately address the lack of certaintyregarding State services through Irish in theGaeltacht and the lack of deadlines in the Billregarding recruitment and other areas.

This year also saw the publication of a new“Schedule” of public bodies who are to comeunder the Official Languages Act. Over 10 yearshave elapsed since the schedule was updatedand it was much needed. It is better late thannever and I welcome that public bodies,established since 2006, are now being broughtunder the scope of the legislation.

2019 also saw the publication of our inauguralMonitoring Report. Having discontinued the indepth monitoring of the discredited languagescheme system I was determined to ensure thata new system of monitoring would prove to beeffective and worthwhile. This year’s reportfocused on staff numbers in governmentdepartments competent in Irish, local authorities’websites, and signage at heritage sites. Atpresent we are completing our monitoring workfor the year and will publish our secondmonitoring report in summer 2020.


BILLE NA dTEANGACHA OIFIGIÚLA(LEASÚ)

Ba chéim thábhachtach é foilsiú Bhille nadTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) sa phróiseas acuireadh ar bun le go mbeadh Acht Teanga níosláidre agus níos oiriúnaí dá fheidhm againn.D’fháiltigh mé roimh an deis atá cruthaithe anoisanailís a dhéanamh ar na leasuithe atá molta aran Acht agus a noiriúnacht don chreatreachtaíocht teanga atá de dhíth a mheas.

Tá béim leagtha agam go rialta ar thríphríomhleasú a fheictear dom a bheithriachtanach chun bonn níos láidre a chur faoinAcht. Baineann na leasuithe sin le solátharseirbhísí an Stáit sa Ghaeltacht, le hathruithe arpholasaithe earcaíochta an Stáit agus le bunúcórais caighdeán teanga a leagfaidh dualgas níossoiléire ar chomhlachtaí poiblí maidir le freastal aran bpobal i gcéadteanga oifigiúil na tíre.

Tá tagairt déanta sa Bhille nua do na nithe sinagus do roinnt forálacha tábhachtacha eile, achtáim den tuairim nach dtugann an Bille, mar atásé faoi láthair, aghaidh ar bhealach críochnúil arroinnt de na ceisteanna is tábhachtaí abhaineann le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilgeagus le cearta teanga an phobail a chosaint.

An Ghaeltacht

Is léir staid leochaileach na Gaeilge sna limistéirGhaeltachta i dtorthaí an daonáirimh agus isaothair thaighde éagsúla le roinnt blianta. Tá séríthábhachtach, mar sin, go gcuirfí bonn reachtúilfaoi sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge saGhaeltacht agus go ndaingneofaí sa reachtaíochtcearta teanga phobal na Gaeltachta. Faraor, agan tráth seo, níl aon fhoráil dhaingean sa Bhille achuirfeadh dualgas ar an Stát a chinntiú gobhfreastalófar ar phobal na Gaeltachta inadteanga dhúchais. Chomh fada siar le foilsiúthuarascáil Choimisiún na Gaeltachta sa bhliain1926, tagraíodh don riachtanas go gcuirfíseirbhísí Stáit ar fáil trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht.Níl an méid sin bainte amach go fóill agus níthéann na leasuithe atá molta sa Bhille seo ingleic leis go críochnúil. Bheadh sé faillíoch ag anStát, fiú ag an tráth seo, gan réimse seirbhísítábhachtacha a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge saGhaeltacht mar cheart bunúsach. Gan bunúsreachtúil, cuimsitheach ní bheidh aonchinnteacht go dtarlóidh an méid sin.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (AMENDMENT) BILL

The publication of the Official Languages(Amendment) Bill in December 2019 was animportant step in the process of bringing forth astronger and more fitforpurpose language Act. Iwelcomed the opportunity that has now beencreated to analyse the proposed amendments tothe Act and to assess their suitability for anecessary language rights framework.

I have continually emphasized three key reformsthat I see as being necessary to strengthen theAct. These amendments relate to the provisionof State services in the Gaeltacht, changes inState recruitment policies, and the establishmentof a system of language standards placing aclearer obligation on public bodies to serve thepublic in the country's first official language.

Reference is made in the new Bill to thesematters and to a number of other importantprovisions, but I am of the opinion that the Bill,as it currently stands, does not adequatelyaddress some of the most important issuesrelating to the provision of public servicesthrough Irish and protecting the language rightsof the community.

The Gaeltacht

The fragile state of Irish in Gaeltacht areas isevident in the census results and in variouspieces of research over the past number ofyears. It is therefore vital that the provision ofpublic services through Irish in the Gaeltacht isplaced on a statutory footing and that thelanguage rights of the Gaeltacht communityshould be underpinned by the legislation.Unfortunately, at this stage, the Bill contains nofirm provisions placing a duty upon the State toensure that the Gaeltacht community is served intheir native language. The requirement toprovide State services through Irish in theGaeltacht was referenced as far back as 1926 ina report by the Gaeltacht Commission. This hasnot yet been achieved and the proposedamendments to the Bill do not tackle this issue ina complete way. Even at this stage it would beremiss of the State not to provide a range ofimportant services through Irish in the Gaeltachtas a basic right. Without a comprehensivelegislative basis there can be no certainty thatthis will occur.


Earcaíocht

Tacaím leis an moladh go nullmhófaí pleanreachtúil náisiúnta do sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí tríGhaeilge agus aontaím gur chóir do pholasaitheagus cleachtais nua earcaíochta a bheith inandlúthchuid den phlean sin. Is cúis imní dom,áfach, nach bhfuil dóthain ionadaíochta átabhairt do shaineolaithe seachtracha ná donphobal ar an gCoiste Comhairleach atá le bunúfaoin Acht leasaithe chun an plean reachtúil aullmhú. Is cúis imní dom freisin nach bhfuilspriocam luaite le foilsiú an phlean agus nachbhfuil dualgas reachtúil ann aon phlean aaontaítear a chur i bhfeidhm.

Córas Caighdeán

Ar cheann de mhórfhorálacha an Bhille tá anmoladh go gcuirfí córas caighdeán teanga in áitchóras na scéimeanna teanga. Moladh fiúntach éseo, ach is deacair breithiúnas a thabhairt ar antionchar a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag an athrú seogan na dréachtchaighdeáin a bheith ar fáil dúinn.Creidim go rachadh sé go mór chun sochair dophróiseas measúnaithe an Bhille dá gcuirfí nadréachtchaighdeáin sin ar fáil gan mhoill.

Is fada muid ag cásamh na laigí ar anreachtaíocht mar atá agus ba cheart aghaidh athabhairt orthu seo ag an tráth seo. Deis chailltea bheadh ann gan sin a dhéanamh. Le linn nadíospóireachta sin, tá sé tábhachtach gobhféachfaí i gcónaí le freastal ar riachtanaisphobal na teanga agus ar a gcearta, ag cur sanáireamh stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga náisiúntaagus mar chéadteanga oifigiúil na tíre.

GEARÁIN

Rinneadh os cionn 700 gearán linn i mbliana lehais 634 anuraidh. Fearacht blianta eile, bhainroinnt de na gearáin sin leis na deacrachtaí abhíonn ag daoine na síntí fada ina nainm nó inaseoladh a úsáid nuair a bhíonn na sonraí sin ádtaifeadadh ag comhlacht stáit. Tá iarrachtdéanta dul i ngleic leis seo i mBille nadTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) le foráil a bhaineannle “Dualgas comhlachtaí poiblí maidir lehainmneacha, seoltaí agus teidil i nGaeilge”.

Cuirim fáilte, dar ndóigh, roimh an iarracht dul ingleic leis an bhfadhb ach is easnamh mór ar anbhforáil nach bhfuil spriocam luaite le teacht ibhfeidhm an chirt bhunúsaigh seo. Níl aonchinnteacht, faraor, maidir le cé hiad na

Recruitment

I support the recommendation that a nationalstatutory plan for the provision of public servicesthrough Irish be prepared and I agree that newrecruitment policies and practices should be anintegral part of this plan. However, I amconcerned that external experts and the publicare not adequately represented on the AdvisoryCommittee to be established under the amendedAct to prepare the statutory plan. I am alsoconcerned that there is no stated deadline forthe publication of the plan and that there is nostatutory obligation to implement any agreedplan.

System of Standards

One of the main provisions of the Bill is theproposal to replace the language scheme systemwith a system of language standards. This is aworthwhile proposal, but it is difficult to judgethe possible impact of this change without sightof the draft standards. I believe that the timelyproduction of these draft standards wouldgreatly benefit the process of assessing the Bill.

The weaknesses in the existing legislation havelong been highlighted and should be addressedat this juncture. To not do so would be a missedopportunity. In the course of this debate it isimportant that the needs of the languagecommunity and their rights continue to beaddressed, considering the status of Irish as thenational and first official language of the country.

COMPLAINTS

We received over 700 complaints in 2019compared to 634 the previous year. As in otheryears a number of complaints related todifficulties people have using the síneadh fada intheir names or addresses with state bodies orensuring that their names in Irish are beingproperly recorded. There is an attempt toaddress this in the Official Languages(Amendment) Bill with a provision relating to the“Duty of public bodies regarding names, addressesand titles in the Irish language”.

The effort to address the problem is, of course,to be welcomed but the exclusion of a deadlinefor this basic right is a significant absence.Unfortunately, there is also no certaintyregarding which public bodies the provision


comhlachtaí poiblí nó na córais ríomhaireachta ambainfidh an dualgas reachtúil seo leo. Creidimgo mbeadh sé i bhfad níos oiriúnaí dá socrófaídáta cinnte faoina gcaithfeadh córaisríomhaireachta gach comhlachta poiblí cloí leisan riachtanas seo agus san idirlinn gombainfeadh an dualgas le gach córasríomhaireachta nua agus le gach córasríomhaireachta athchóirithe.

IMSCRÚDUITHE

Tá sé spéisiúil gur faoi cheisteanna a bhain lehúdaráis áitiúla a bhí na himscrúduithe ar fad acríochnaíodh in 2019. Ba dhíol spéise ar leith é,áfach, an timscrúdú a rinne mé ar ChomhairleContae Chiarraí inar léiríodh nár cuireadh ibhfeidhm coinníoll teanga a cheangail an BordPleanála le cead pleanála a deonaíodh d’fhorbairttithíochta i nGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne in2004. Bhí suntas faoi leith ag baint leis animscrúdú don Oifig seo mar ba é seo an chéaduair a thionscnaíomar imscrúdú ar fhoráil teangaden Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000.

San Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000, leagtardualgas ar aon Chomhairle Contae a bhfuillimistéar Gaeltachta faoina cúram cuspóirí faoileith a leagan síos ina Plean Forbartha Contaechun oidhreacht teanga agus chultúrtha naGaeltachta a chosaint, lena náirítear an Ghaeilgea chur chun cinn mar theanga an phobail. Tádualgas uirthi, chomh maith, na cuspóirí atá saPhlean Forbartha Contae a chur i bhfeidhm.Chinn an Bord Pleanála sa chás seo coinníoll acheangal leis an gcead pleanála go mba ghád’úinéirí nó do thionóntaí fadtéarmacha líofachtsa Ghaeilge a bheith taispeánta acu i gcás 75%de na tithe nua. Nuair a rinneadh gearán liom nárcuireadh an coinníoll sin i bhfeidhm riamh, chinnmé go raibh “foráil d’achtachán a bhaineann lestádas nó le húsáid teanga oifigiúla” i gceist agusgo bhféadfainn, agus gur chóir, tabhairt faoiimscrúdú.

Sainaithníodh sa Staidéar CuimsitheachTeangeolaíochta ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht,a foilsíodh in 2007, gur gné anlárnach denphleanáil teanga atá sa phleanáil fhisiciúil agusgur féidir le gluaiseachtaí déimeagrafacha ar nósdaoine nua ag bogadh isteach sa Ghaeltachttionchar a imirt ar chúrsaí teanga de bharr na nathruithe a dhéantar ar an gcothromaíochtteanga i measc an phobail.

could apply to or as to the computer systemsconcerned. It would be more appropriate, Ibelieve, if a specific date was agreed wherebythe computer systems of all public bodies wouldhave to comply with this provision and in theinterim period that the provision would apply toall new or updated computer systems.

INVESTIGATIONS

Interestingly all the investigations completed in2019 involved local authorities. Of particularinterest was the investigation I carried out in thecase of Kerry County Council whichdemonstrated that a linguistic condition attachedby An Bord Pleanála to planning permission for ahousing development in the Corca DhuibhneGaeltacht in 2004 was never implemented. Thisinvestigation was especially significant for ourOffice as it was the first time that we conductedan investigation relating to a language provisionof the Planning and Development Act 2000.

The Planning and Development Act requires anyCounty Council which has a Gaeltacht areaunder its remit to include objectives in its CountyDevelopment Plan for the protection of thelinguistic and cultural heritage of the Gaeltacht,including the promotion of Irish as thecommunity language. It is also required toimplement the objectives contained in theCounty Development Plan. An Bord Pleanála haddecided to attach a condition to the planningpermission whereby the owners or longtermtenants of 75% of the new houses were requiredto demonstrate their fluency in the Irishlanguage. When I received a complaint that thiscondition had never been implemented, Idecided that a provision of an enactment“relating to status or use of an official language”was involved and that I could and shouldinvestigate the matter.

It was recognised in the Comprehensive LinguisticStudy of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht in 2007that physical planning is a very central aspect oflanguage planning and that demographicmovements such as new people settling in theGaeltacht can influence the use of languagesdue to the consequent change to the languagebalance within the community.


Má tá rath le bheith ar an bpleanáil teanga saGhaeltacht a shamhlaítear le hAcht naGaeltachta, 2012, níor mhiste féachaint chuigego dtugtar feidhm d’fhorálacha reachtúla eile arbí cosaint theanga na Gaeltachta is bunús leo.

Tá sonraí an imscrúdaithe ar leathanaigh 20–24.

Rinne mé ceithre imscrúdú eile ar údaráis áitiúlaéagsúla toisc, go príomha, nár fhreagair nahúdaráis áitiúla sin go sásúil, nó in aon chor,gearáin a d’fhiosraigh m’Oifig leo. Bhain gearáinfaoi chomharthaí leo ar fad cé go raibh ábhaireile i gceist le Comhairle Contae Lú chomhmaith. Bheifí ag súil, faoin tráth seo, go mbeadhcórais éifeachtacha i bhfeidhm in údaráis áitiúla achinnteodh go mbíonn a gcuid comharthaí nuadátheangach agus i gcomhréir leis na ceanglaisteanga eile agus nach mbeadh comharthaí imBéarla amháin fós á gcur in airde acu. Bheifí agsúil, chomh maith, go mbeadh sé ar chumas nanúdarás áitiúil freagra a chur ar fáil do m’Oifiglaistigh d’achar réasúnta ama nuair atharraingítear gearán anuas leo.

RTÉ

Luadh níos luaithe gur fhoilsíomar ár gcéadtuarascáil faireacháin riamh i mí na Bealtaine2019. Leanamar orainn chomh maith lefaireacháin ar mholtaí a bhí déanta inimscrúduithe reachtúla. Bhain an ceann bashuntasaí díobh seo leis an gcraoltóir náisiúntaRTÉ agus moltaí a d’eascair as imscrúdú a tugadhchun críche le linn na bliana 2018, an chéadimscrúdú foirmiúil maidir leis na dualgais teangaatá san Acht Craolacháin, 2009. Léiríodh sanimscrúdú nach raibh RTÉ ag craoladh réimsecuimsitheach clár i nGaeilge ar chainéil teilifíse anstáisiúin mar atá éilithe ag an reachtaíocht.

Ba é príomhmholadh an imscrúdaithe maidir leRTÉ agus comhlíonadh forálacha teanga de chuidan Achta Craolacháin, 2009 “Go n-ullmhódh RTÉplean feidhmithe…chun réimse cuimsitheach clárteilifíse i nGaeilge agus cláir theilifíse cúrsaí reatha inGaeilge a chur ar fáil.”

Chuir RTÉ an plean feidhmithe sin faoi mo bhráidi mí an Mheithimh 2019. Ina dhiaidh sin chuir aneagraíocht tuilleadh soiléirithe a bhí lorgtha faoimo bhráid agus reáchtáladh cruinniú le baillshinsearacha de chuid RTÉ i dtreo dheireadh nabliana.

If the language planning process envisaged in theGaeltacht Act 2012 is to be successful, it has tobe ensured that other statutory provisionsdesigned to defend the linguistic status of theGaeltacht are implemented.

Details of the investigation are on pages 20–24.

I carried out four other investigations on variouslocal authorities, principally because these localauthorities had not responded satisfactorily, ornot responded at all, to complaints raised by myOffice. Complaints concerning signs wereinvolved in all these investigations, while othermatters were investigated in the case of LouthCounty Council also. One would have expectedat this stage, that local authorities would haveeffective systems in place to ensure that newsigns were bilingual and in accordance with theother language requirements. One would havealso expected that when my Office raises acomplaint with a local authority, it would be ableto provide a response within a reasonable period.

RTÉ

As referenced earlier we published our firstmonitoring report in May 2019. We alsocontinued our monitoring of the implementationof recommendations resulting from formalinvestigations. The most significant of theserelates to the national broadcaster RTÉ andrecommendations stemming from aninvestigation completed in 2018, the first formalinvestigation regarding the languagerequirements of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Theinvestigation concluded that RTÉ wasn’tbroadcasting a comprehensive range ofprogrammes in Irish on its television schedule asrequired by the legislation.

The primary recommendation in the investigationinto RTÉ regarding adherence to languageprovisions in the Broadcasting Act 2009 was“That RTÉ prepare an implementation plan...toprovide a comprehensive range of televisionprogrammes in Irish and current affairs televisionprogrammes in Irish.”

RTÉ presented an implementation plan to me inJune 2019. Following that, upon my request, theorganisation provided some more clarificationregarding the plan and a meeting took place withsenior figures in RTÉ towards the end of thisyear.


In that meeting RTÉ detailed the increase in theamount and range of Irish language programmesto be broadcast on the station’s televisionchannels next year. RTÉ intends to substantiallyincrease the amount of Irish languageprogrammes from 123 hours in 2017 to 533hours, at a minimum, in 2020.

The most significant increase relates to thebroadcasting of news and current affairsprogrammes on RTÉ News Now (representing58% of the increase in 2020) and programmesfor children and young people on RTÉ JNR(representing 28% of the increase in 2020). Ajoint approach is also being developed with TG4to broadcast more of the station’s programmeson RTÉ. Rannóg na gClár Gaeilge in RTÉ will alsooperate on a fulltime basis again, with anincrease in newlyproduced Irish languageprogrammes due to be broadcast on RTÉ.

It is clear that there is greater momentum behindthe provision of the number of hours and rangeof programmes in Irish on RTÉ. I can’t confirm atthis point, however, that a comprehensive rangeof programmes is being provided for as requiredby the legislation. Nevertheless, I recognise thatthis could be achieved in the years ahead if therange of programmes provided continues to bedeveloped.

With that in mind I have requested RTÉ toprovide an update in the second half of 2020 inrelation to what has been implemented at thatstage and the extent and range of Irish languageprogramming intended for 2021.

COMMUNICATIONS & OTHER MATTERS

As Coimisinéir Teanga it is always an honour tohave the opportunity to meet with groups,organisations and individuals who work tirelesslyand diligently to promote and protect the Irishlanguage and other languages not only in Irelandbut also in other jurisdictions. I gave evidence inJanuary to the Culture, Welsh Language andCommunications Committee at the NationalAssembly for Wales in Cardiff. The committeewas examining the statutory policy and widerissues relating to the use of the Welsh language.I also spoke at a Council of Europe conference inCardiff regarding bilingual education and theprotection of minority languages.

Sa chruinniú sin rinne RTÉ cur síos ar an ardú atábeartaithe acu ar líon agus réimse na gclárGaeilge a chraolfar ar chainéil teilifíse an stáisiúinan bhliain seo chugainn. Tá ardú suntasach ábheartú ag RTÉ ar líon uaireanta na gclár Gaeilgeó 123 sa bhliain 2017 go dtí íosmhéid 533 sabhliain 2020.

Baineann an tardú is suntasaí le craoladh nagclár nuachta agus cúrsaí reatha (cothrom le 58%den ardú in 2020) ar an gcainéal RTÉ News Nowagus cláir do leanaí agus do dhaoine óga(cothrom le 28% den ardú in 2020) ar RTÉ JNR.Ina theannta sin tá comhfhiontar á chruthú leTG4 chun breis clár de chuid an chraoltóra sin achur ar fáil ar RTÉ. Beidh Rannóg na gClárGaeilge ar ais i mbun obair lánaimseartha arísagus beartaithe ag RTÉ tuilleadh clár nua achraoladh i nGaeilge.

Is léir dom go bhfuil borradh breise faoi sholátharuaireanta craolacháin agus clár Gaeilge ar RTÉ.Ní féidir a dhearbhú ag an tráth seo, áfach, gobhfuil réimse cuimsitheach clár á chur ar fáil mara éilíonn an reachtaíocht. Mar sin féin, aithním gobhféadfaí sin a bhaint amach sna blianta amachromhainn má leantar leis an bhforbairt atábeartaithe ar an réimse clár a chuirtear ar fáil.

Chuige sin, tá iarrtha agam ar RTÉ cuntas athabhairt sa dara leath de 2020 ar an méid abheidh curtha i gcrích an tráth sin mar aon le líonagus réimse na gclár atá beartaithe do 2021.

CUMARSÁID & EILE

Bíonn d’onóir agam mar Choimisinéir Teangabualadh le grúpaí, le heagraíochtaí agus le daoineaonair a bhíonn ag obair go dian dícheallach armhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus teangacha eile achur chun cinn, ní hamháin in Éirinn ach freisin indlínsí eile. I mí Eanáir, thug mé fianaise oscomhair an Choiste Cultúir, Breatnaise agusCumarsáide sa Tionól Náisiúnta in Caerdydd. Bhían Coiste i mbun fiosruithe maidir le comhthéacsreachtúil, beartas agus gnéithe níos leithne abhaineann leis an mBreatnais. Labhair mé chomhmaith ag comhdháil de chuid Chomhairle nahEorpa in Caerdydd maidir le hoideachasdátheangach agus cosaint do theangacha abhíonn á labhairt ag mionlaigh.


It was also a huge honour to represent thiscountry as chair of the International Associationof Language Commissioners in Toronto at ourannual conference and AGM in June.

I gave speeches and presentations relating tolanguage rights at many events throughoutIreland. I made presentations to public bodiesregarding obligations under the Act and howbest to serve members of the public who wantto conduct their business through Irish with thestate sector.

I would like to thank the journalist, Áine NíChiaráin, and the financial expert, Páidí ÓDálaigh, for their voluntary work as valuablemembers of the Office’s Internal Audit and RiskCommittee.

I would also like to avail of this opportunity tothank the diligent and hardworking staff in theOffice of An Coimisinéir Teanga.

CONCLUSION

Finally, I would like to thank the Minister of Statefor Gaeltacht Affairs, Seán Kyne, TD, forrecommending to the Government that I be reappointed as An Coimisinéir Teanga. This wasaccepted by Government and a resolutionrecommending my reappointment wassubsequently passed by Dáil Éireann and SeanadÉireann in December. An Coimisinéir Teanga isappointed by the President of Ireland on theadvice of Government following a resolutionpassed by Dáil Éireann and by Seanad Éireannrecommending the appointment, in accordancewith the provisions of the Act.

B’onóir mhór a bhí ann dom ionadaíocht adhéanamh thar ceann na tíre seo, marchathaoirleach ar Chumann Idirnáisiúnta nagCoimisinéirí Teanga, ag comhdháil agus cruinniúbliantúil an chumainn in Toronto i mí anMheithimh.

I gcaitheamh na bliana, thug mé óráidí agus rinnemé cur i láthair ar théamaí a bhain le ceartateanga ag cuid mhaith ócáidí poiblí. Rinne méroinnt láithreoireachtaí do chomhlachtaí poiblí arna riachtanais a bhaineann le feidhmiú an Achtaagus mar is ceart freastal ar phobal a dteastaíonnuathu a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh leis an státchórastrí Ghaeilge.

Táim buíoch den iriseoir, Áine Ní Chiaráin, agusden saineolaí airgeadais, Páidí Ó Dálaigh, as anobair a dhéanann siad go deonach mar bhaillluachmhara de Choiste IniúchóireachtaInmheánaí agus Riosca na hOifige.

Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú freisin chunbuíochas a ghlacadh leis an bhfoireann oibreanseo in Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga as andúthracht agus a ndíograis.

CRÍOCH

Ar deireadh, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a churin iúl don Aire Stáit do Ghnóthaí Gaeltachta,Seán Kyne, TD, a chomhairligh don Rialtas go nathcheapfaí mé mar Choimisinéir Teanga. Ghlacan Rialtas leis an moladh sin agus le linn mhí naNollag ritheadh rún ag moladh m’athcheapacháini nDáil Éireann agus i Seanad Éireann. Igcomhréir le forálacha an Achta is faoi Uachtaránna hÉireann atá sé duine a cheapadh marChoimisinéir Teanga ar chomhairle an Rialtais taréis do Dháil Éireann agus do Sheanad Éireannrún a rith ag moladh an cheapacháin.

Seoladh an leabhráin ‘OifigíOmbudsman in Éirinn’ leis an

gCeann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl T.D.

Launch of booklet ‘OmbudsmanOffices in Ireland’ with the CeannComhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl T.D.


SEIRBHÍSÍ EOLAIS AGUSCUMARSÁIDE

Is cuid lárnach dár gcuid oibre é go roinnfí eolasmaidir le gníomhaíochtaí na heagraíochta leis anbpobal, le comhlachtaí poiblí, le coistíOireachtais, leis na meáin chumarsáide agus lepáirtithe leasmhara eile. Fearacht blianta eile, bhían Oifig gníomhach sa réimse seo le linn nabliana.

COMHAIRLE DO CHOMHLACHTAÍ POIBLÍ

Fáiltíonn an Oifig i gcónaí roimh an deiscomhairle a chur ar chomhlachtaí poiblí maidirlena gcuid freagrachtaí faoin Acht agus fágann annuashonrú a rinneadh ar na comhlachtaí poiblí athagann faoi scáth an Achta go mbeidh tuilleadhoibre le déanamh sa réimse seo an bhliain seochugainn.

Rinne oifigigh ó chomhlachtaí poiblí teagmháil lehOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ar 122 ócáidéagsúil, ardú 6% ón mbliain seo caite. Bhainformhór na bhfiosrúchán sin, nach mór 40%, lecomhairle i dtaca le dualgais teanga a bhaineannle comharthaíocht, stáiseanóireacht agus fógairtítaifeadta béil. Is comhairle faoi dhualgais a bhí lecomhlíonadh de thoradh gealltanais i scéimeannateanga a bhain 22% de na fiosrúcháin agus bhain13% le dualgais i dtaca le foilseacháin a thagannfaoi chuimsiú alt 10 den Acht.

Bíonn an Oifig réamhghníomhach ina cuidiarrachtaí go dtuigfeadh comhlachtaí poiblí gurféidir teagmháil a dhéanamh linn más mian leoaon soiléirú a fháil faoi na dualgais atá lecomhlíonadh faoin Acht. Le linn na blianad’fhreastail baill foirne de chuid na hOifige archruinnithe aonaracha le comhlachtaí poiblíéagsúla chun plé a dhéanamh ar na dualgaisghinearálta faoin Acht nó ábharthacht an Achta idtaca le tionscnaimh áirithe a bhí beartaithe nóidir lámha.

Tá sé intuigthe go gcuidíonn comhairle aguseolas cruinn le comhlachtaí poiblí a gcuid dualgasfaoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla achomhlíonadh ar bhealach níos éifeachtaí.

INFORMATION &COMMUNICATIONSSERVICES

The sharing of information regarding theorganisation’s activities with the public, publicbodies, Oireachtas committees, the media andother stakeholders is an integral part of our work.As in previous years, the Office was active in thissphere during the past year.

ADVICE TO PUBLIC BODIES

The Office always welcomes the opportunity tooffer advice to public bodies regarding theirobligations under the Act. The recent updating ofthe list of public bodies covered by the Act willresult in further work in this area next year.

Officials from public bodies contacted the Officeof An Coimisinéir Teanga on 122 separateoccasions, an increase of 6% on the previousyear. Most of these enquiries, almost 40%,related to requests for advice on the languagerequirements associated with signage, stationeryand recorded oral announcements. A further22% of enquiries related to compliance withcommitments provided in language schemes,with 13% of enquiries relating to publicationsunder section 10 of the Act.

The Office strives to be proactive in its efforts toensure that public bodies understand the valueof contacting us if they wish to receive anyclarification on the obligations to be compliedwith under the Act. During the year officials fromthis Office attended separate meetings withdifferent public bodies to discuss the generalobligations under the Act or its application inrelation to proposed projects or projectscurrently underway.

It goes without saying that accurate advice andinformation assists public bodies to moreeffectively comply with their obligations underthe Act.


ÓCÁIDÍ POIBLÍ

ÓRÁIDÍ & LÁITHREOIREACHTAÍ

• An Coiste Cultúir, Breatnaise agus Cumarsáide,Tionól Náisiúnta na Breataine Bige

• Cur i láthair do Bhord Fhoras na Gaeilge

• Comhdháil Chomhairle na hEorpa, Caerdydd

• Cur i láthair do Choláiste Chilliain, CluainDolcáin

• Bronnadh Ghradaim Gaelchultúr

• Comhdháil um Chearta Daonna & CeartaTeanga i gcomhpháirtíocht leis na NáisiúinAontaithe agus Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh

• Fóram Réigiúnach na hEorpa, an Bhruiséil

• Bronnadh phaimfléad eolais Fhóram nanOmbudsman, Teach Laighean

• Coiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus nanOileán, Teach Laighean

• Comhdháil Chumann Idirnáisiúnta nagCoimisinéirí Teanga, Toronto

• Cur i láthair d’Ollscoil Luimnigh

• Cur i láthair do Choláiste na hOllscoile,Corcaigh

ÓCÁIDÍ EILE

• Lá Gairme, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, anCheathrú Rua

• Seoladh Sheachtain na Gaeilge

• Insealbhú Uachtarán an Oireachtais

• ArdFheis Chonradh na Gaeilge

• Sult na Sollán, Cill Dara

• Léacht Dáil100, Teach Laighean

• Údaráis Áitiúla, Dualgais & an Ghaeilge, BéalFeirste

• Fóram ar Bheartas Teanga agus Oideachais naGaeilge & na Gaeltachta, Coláiste na Tríonóide

• Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, Inis Meáin

• Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Gaillimh leGaeilge

• Seoladh Thuarascáil Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge,na Gaeltachta & na nOileán, Teach Laighean

PUBLIC EVENTS

SPEECHES & PRESENTATIONS

• Culture, Welsh Language & CommunicationsCommittee, National Assembly for Wales

• Presentation for the Board of Foras na Gaeilge

• Council of Europe Conference, Cardiff

• Presentation for Coláiste Chilliain, Clondalkin

• Awards Presentation for Gaelchultúr

• Conference on Human Rights & LanguageRights in partnership with the United Nationsand the National University of Ireland, Galway

• European Regional Forum, Brussels

• Presentation of Information Pamphlet for IrishOmbudsman Forum, Leinster House

• Committee on the Irish Language, theGaeltacht & the Islands, Leinster House

• IALC (International Association of LanguageCommissioners) Conference, Toronto

• Presentation for the University of Limerick

• Presentation for University College Cork

OTHER EVENTS

• Careers Day, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, AnCheathrú Rua

• Seachtain na Gaeilge Launch Event

• Inauguration of Uachtarán an Oireachtais

• ArdFheis of Conradh na Gaeilge

• Sult na Sollán, Kildare

• Dáil100 Lecture, Leinster House

• Local Authorities, Obligations & the IrishLanguage, Belfast

• Irish & Gaeltacht Education Forum onLanguage Policy, Trinity College

• Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann/Irish IslandsFederation, Inis Meáin

• Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Gaillimh leGaeilge

• Launch of report by the Committee on the IrishLanguage, the Gaeltacht & the Islands, LeinsterHouse


• Seoladh Sealbhú – Lárionad Taighde, OllscoilChathair Bhaile Átha Cliath

• Seoladh GTeic, Tithe an Rialtais

• Seoladh GTeic, An Spidéal

• Seoladh Phlean Teanga na Ceathrún Rua

• Oireachtas na Samhna, Baile Átha Cliath

• Comhdháil Bhliantúil Gaeloideachas, Corcaigh

Ach oiread le blianta eile, d’fhreastail baill foirnede chuid na hOifige seo ar ócáidí éagsúla le linnna bliana agus thug siad cur i láthair ag ceardlannpleanála teanga a d’eagraigh Údarás naGaeltachta agus ag seimineár a d’eagraighCumann na nOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge.

NA MEÁIN CHUMARSÁIDE

Bhí cuid mhaith teagmhála agam leis na meáinchumarsáide le linn 2019. Déanaim gach uileiarracht i gcónaí freastal ar gach aon iarratas ó nameáin nuair a bhaineann an tiarratas sin lereachtaíocht teanga a thagann faoi mo dhlínse.Creidim go bhfuil ról ríthábhachtach ag na meáinag cur an phobail ar an eolas faoin obair athagann faoi scáth eagraíochtaí mar Oifig anChoimisinéara Teanga. Is bealach é chomh maithle cinntiú go bhfuilimid freagrach don phobal. Sachomhthéacs sin, ba mhaith liom buíochas aghlacadh leis na hiriseoirí a bhí i dteagmháil leisan Oifig i rith na bliana.

• Launch of Sealbhú Central Research Centre,Dublin City University

• Launch of GTeic, Government Buildings

• Launch of GTeic, An Spidéal

• Launch of Language Plan for An Cheathrú Rua

• Oireachtas na Samhna, Dublin

• Annual Conference, Gaeloideachas, Cork

Similar to other years, staff members from thisOffice attended various events during the yearand made presentations at a language planningworkshop organised by Údarás na Gaeltachtaand a seminar held by Cumann na nOifigeachForbartha Gaeilge.

MEDIA

I had a considerable amount of contact with themedia during 2019. I always make every effort toaccommodate all media requests relating tomatters concerning Irish language legislationunder my remit. I believe the media plays a vitalrole in informing the public of the work thatorganisations like the Office of An CoimisinéirTeanga undertake and it is also a way of ensuringwe are accountable to the public. I would like tothank the journalists who were in contact withthe Office this year in that regard.

Ócáid Trasna na dTonntaTrasna na dTonnta event


CUMAINN

CUMANN IDIRNÁISIÚNTA NAgCOIMISINÉIRÍ TEANGA

Tá an cumann seo ar an bhfód anois le 6 blianaagus feidhmíonn sé mar ghréasán luachmhar doChoimisinéirí Teanga ar fud na cruinne. Tá 11Choimisinéir Teanga nó Ombudsman ina mbaillden Chumann faoin tráth seo le ballraíocht óÉirinn, ó Cheanada, ón mBreatain Bheag, ó Thírna mBascach, ón gCatalóin, ón gCosaiv agus ónmBeilg. Cé go bhfuil éagsúlacht mhór satimpeallacht ina bhfeidhmíonn na heagraíochtaíéagsúla, is minic a bhíonn go leor de na dúshláinteanga chéanna ag baint lenár gcuid oibre.

I gcaitheamh na bliana, bhí cruinnithe rialtaagainn ar líne. Tá roinnt fochoistí ag feidhmiú faoiscáth an Chumainn agus tugann sé seo deis dobhaill foirne ábhair atá i bpáirt acu ina gcuid oibrea phlé mar aon le deiseanna foghlama a chur arfáil. Chomh maith leis sin eagraítear roinntseisiúin eolais ó am go chéile inar féidir le baillfoirne ó na hoifigí éagsúla léargas a fháil ar anobair a bhíonn ar siúl i ndlínsí eile.

Is in Toronto a bhí comhdháil bhliantúil naheagraíochta ar siúl agus d’fhreastail mé féinagus beirt bhall foirne ar an gcomhdháil a raibh“Mionlaigh Theanga a Chosaint, Sochaithe NíosLáidre a Chothú” mar théama leis. Is faoi stiúirOifig Ombudsman Ontario a reáchtáladh anchomhdháil agus cruinniú cinn bhliana anChumainn. Tugann an chomhdháil deisluachmhar do lucht cleachtais agus lucht acadúilteacht le chéile chun ábhair a bhaineann lecearta teanga a phlé. Ag comhdháil na bliana seo,seoladh leabhar de chuid an Chumainn“Constitutional Pioneers” ina raibh ailt ó na hoifigíéagsúla agus ón saol acadúil ar théamaí abhaineann le hobair ár neagraíochtaí agus lecearta teanga.

Tháinig deireadh le mo thréimhse marChathaoirleach ar an gCumann ag cruinniú cinnbhliana na heagraíochta agus guím gach rath arRaymond Théberge, Coimisinéir na dTeangachaOifigiúla, Ceanada, atá ceaptha anois marChathaoirleach. Tá sé tráthúil go mbeadhRaymond ag glacadh leis an gcathaoirleachtcothrom 50 bliain an ama ar tháinig Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm i gCeanada denchéad uair. Tá aistriú déanta chomh maith ar an

ASSOCIATIONS

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFLANGUAGE COMMISSIONERS

This organisation was established 6 years agoand it operates as a valuable network for theLanguage Commissioners operating in variousparts of the world. Currently the Association hasa membership of 11 Language Commissioners orOmbudsmen with members from Ireland,Canada, Wales, the Basque Country, Catalonia,Kosovo and Belgium. Although the variousorganisations operate in very distinctenvironments, we face many of the samelinguistic challenges in our area of work.

During the year we held regular meetings online.A number of subcommittees operate within theAssociation and this affords our staff anopportunity to discuss matters that are commonto their work as well as presenting learningopportunities. Information sessions are alsoorganised from time to time whereby staff fromthe various offices receive an insight into thework being performed in other jurisdictions.

The organisation’s annual conference was held inToronto and was attended by myself and twomembers of staff. The theme of the conferencewas “Protecting Linguistic Minorities, BuildingStronger Societies”. The conference and theannual general meeting was organised by theOffice of the Ontarian Ombudsman. Theconference affords practitioners and academics avaluable opportunity to come together to discussmatters relating to language rights. This year’sconference included the launch of theAssociation’s book “Constitutional Pioneers”containing articles from the various offices andfrom academia on themes relating to ourorganisations’ work and language rights.

My term as the Association’s Chairman came toan end at this year’s annual general meeting andI would like to wish Raymond Théberge, OfficialLanguages Commissioner, Canada every successas he takes over the role of Chairman. It isappropriate that Raymond be appointedChairman as we mark the 50th anniversary ofthe Official Languages Act in Canada. The


ról rúnaíochta a bhí á dhéanamh ag m’Oifig lebliain anuas. Creidim go bhfuil ról antábhachtach ag an gCumann agus tá sé i gceistagam a bheith gníomhach i gcónaí san eagraíochtseo atá ag dul ó neart go neart.

Tháinig roinnt athruithe ar na Coimisinéirí Teangasna tíortha éagsúla le linn na bliana. Gar dobhaile ceapadh Aled Roberts mar ChoimisinéirTeanga sa Bhreatain Bheag i mí an Mhárta 2019.Tagann sé i gcomharbacht ar Meri Huws a bhí saról sin ó bunaíodh an Oifig sa bhliain 2012. Támé ag súil go mór leanúint amach anseo leis angcomhoibriú atá cruthaithe idir ár gcuid oifigí. Imo cháil mar chathaoirleach ar ChumannIdirnáisiúnta na gCoimisinéirí Teanga, thug méfianaise os comhair Choiste Cultúir, Breatnaiseagus Cumarsáide Thionól Náisiúnta na BreataineBige agus iad i mbun plé ar an mBille Breatnaise.Le linn na bliana, d’fhógair rialtas na BreataineBige nach raibh i gceist leanúint leis an mBillebeartaithe agus go bhfágfaí ról an ChoimisinéaraTeanga mar a bhí.

CUMANN NA nOMBUDSMAN

Is cumann de na nOifigí Ombudsman ar fad inÉirinn agus sa Bhreatain Mhór atá saneagraíocht seo. Tá an Oifig seo ina ballgníomhach den Chumann agus tá mé i mo bhallde Bhord Feidhmiúcháin na heagraíochta ó2017. Beirt as Éirinn atá ar an mbord, ar a bhfuilochtar ball ina iomláine. Casann an bord lechéile cúig huaire sa bhliain chun gnóthaíChumann na nOmbudsman a riaradh agus a phléle Stiúrthóir an Chumainn.

FÓRAM OMBUDSMAN NA hÉIREANN

Is fochoiste de chuid Chumann na nOmbudsmané an Fóram agus é comhdhéanta d’oifigíOmbudsman de chuid na tíre seo. Ceapadh mé imo Chathaoirleach ar an bhFóram sa bhliain2017. Bíonn cruinnithe ag Fóram Ombudsmanna hÉireann, ina bhfuil seachtar ball, uair saráithe. Le linn na bliana seo foilsíodh paimfléaddátheangach ina dtugtar eolas maidir le ról na noifigí ombudsman éagsúla atá ag feidhmiú sa tírseo. Bronnadh cóip den phaimfléad sin ar angCeann Comhairle ag ócáid a eagraíodh i dTeachLaighean. Is iad baill eile an Fhóraim antOmbudsman, an tOmbudsman SeirbhísíAirgeadais agus Pinsean, an tOmbudsman do

secretarial role performed by my Office for thelast year has also been transferred. I believe thatthe Association performs a very important roleand I intend to remain active in the organisationas it goes from strength to strength.

During the year there were some changes to theLanguage Commissioners in the variouscountries. Close to home, Aled Roberts wasappointed as Language Commissioner in Walesin March 2019. He succeeds Meri Huws whoperformed that role since the Office was formedin 2012. I look forward to continuing the closerelationship between our offices in the future. Aschairman of the International Association ofLanguage Commissioners, I gave evidence beforethe Culture, Welsh Language andCommunications Committee in the NationalAssembly for Wales as part of its deliberationson the Welsh Language Bill. During the year, theWelsh Government announced that it did notintend to continue with the proposed Bill andthat the role of the Language Commissionerwould be unchanged.

OMBUDSMAN ASSOCIATION

This is an association of all the OmbudsmanOffices in Ireland and Great Britain. This Office isan active member of the Association and I’vebeen a member of the Executive Board of theorganisation since 2017. There are two membersfrom Ireland on the board which comprises eightmembers in total. The board meets five times ayear to administer and discuss the affairs of theAssociation with the Association's Director.

IRISH OMBUDSMAN FORUM

This Forum is a subcommittee of theOmbudsman Association with membership fromOmbudsman offices in this country. I wasappointed Chairman of the Forum in 2017. TheIrish Ombudsman Forum, of which there areseven members, meets on a quarterly basis.During this year, a bilingual pamphlet waspublished providing information on the role ofthe various Ombudsman offices that operate inthis country. A copy of the pamphlet waspresented to the Ceann Comhairle at an eventheld in Leinster House. The other members ofthe Association are the Ombudsman, theFinancial Services and Pensions Ombudsman,


Leanaí, Ombudsman an Phreasa, antOmbudsman d’Óglaigh na hÉireann, agusCoimisiún Ombudsman an Gharda Síochána. Is imBaile Átha Cliath a bhí na cruinnithe sin ar fadle linn 2019.

the Ombudsman for Children, the PressOmbudsman, the Defence Forces Ombudsman,and the Garda Síochána OmbudsmanCommission. All of the meetings in 2019 wereheld in Dublin.

An Coimisinéir Teanga,Cathaoirleach ar Chumann

Idirnáisiúnta nagCoimisinéirí Teanga, agoscailt comhdháil 2019

An Coimisinéir Teanga,Chairman of the

International Association ofLanguage Commissioners,

opening the 2019conference

Cumann Idirnáisiúnta nagCoimisinéirí Teanga

International Association ofLanguage Commissioners


IMSCRÚDUITHE

Den chéad uair i stair na hOifige rinneadhimscrúdú ar fhoráil a bhain leis an Acht umPleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000. Bhí tábhacht faoileith ag baint leis an imscrúdú. Bhain sé lecosaint na Gaeilge sa phróiseas pleanálatithíochta i gceantar Gaeltachta, tráth a bhfuilbéim faoi leith á leagan ar chosaint na teanga saGhaeltacht tríd an bpróiseas pleanála teanga. Isar Chomhairle Contae Chiarraí a rinneadh an timscrúdú a bhain le cur i bhfeidhm coinníllteanga a cheangail an Bord Pleanála le ceadpleanála a deonaíodh d’fhorbairt tithíochta saGhaeltacht. Ceanglaíodh an coinníoll sin igcomhréir le cuspóirí de chuid an PhleanForbartha Contae a bhaineann le cosaint naGaeltachta agus a dhaingnítear faoin Acht umPleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000.

Bhí sé suntasach gur ar údaráis áitiúla a bhí nahimscrúduithe ar fad a críochnaíodh in 2019.Tionscnaíodh na cinn eile, seachas an ceannthuasluaite, toisc nár fhreagair na húdaráis áitiúlago sásúil nó in aon chor gearáin faoi chomharthaía d’fhiosraigh m’Oifig leo.

Toisc a iomadúla agus a bhíonn comharthaí ágcur in airde ag údaráis áitiúla, ní hannamhgearáin á bhfáil agam ón bpobal faoichomharthaí dá gcuid. Fiosraítear na gearáin sinleo ar bhonn neamhfhoirmiúil mar chéad chéim.Nuair nach gcuirtear freagra sásúil, nó freagra arbith in amanna, ar fáil dom, ní bhíonn de roghaagam ach imscrúdú foirmiúil a thionscnamh.

Is deacair éalú ón gconclúid nach dtugtar antosaíocht chuí d’fhiosruithe gearán agus nach naithnítear an tábhacht a bhaineann le freagraíiomlána a chur ar fáil taobh istigh d’acharréasúnta. Fiú i gcás na nimscrúduithe foirmiúlaféin, b’éigean do m’Oifig scríobh arís chuigComhairle Contae Lú agus Comhairle ContaeCheatharlach chun an dualgas reachtúilcomhoibriú leis an imscrúdú a chur i gcuimhnedóibh, sular chuir siad freagra ar fáil.

Rinne mé moltaí i dtuarascálacha na gceithreimscrúdú sin go ndaingneodh an ChomhairleContae cleachtais oibre chun plé go cuí agus gotráthúil le gearáin faoi sháruithe ar reachtaíochtteanga. Mhol mé freisin go mbunófaí córaisriaracháin san eagraíocht ionas go gcloífí feasta

INVESTIGATIONS

For the first time in the Office’s history weinvestigated a provision of the Planning andDevelopment Act 2000. Particular importancewas attached to the investigation. It related tothe protection of the Irish language in thehousing planning process of a Gaeltacht regionat a time when much emphasis is being placedon the protection of the language in theGaeltacht through the language planningprocess. The investigation involved Kerry CountyCouncil and the implementation of a languagecondition attached by An Bord Pleanála to aplanning permission granted for a housingdevelopment in the Gaeltacht. That conditionwas attached in accordance with the objectivesof the County Development Plan relating to theprotection of the Gaeltacht as set out in thePlanning and Development Act 2000.

It is significant that all the investigations carriedout in 2019 were of local authorities. The otherinvestigations, except the one mentioned above,were initiated because the local authorities inquestion failed to reply satisfactorily, or to replyat all, to complaints concerning signage thatwere raised by my Office.

As local authorities erect a great many signs, Ifrequently receive complaints from members ofthe public concerning local authority signage.These complaints are investigated on an informalbasis as a first step. If an unsatisfactoryresponse, or at times no response at all, isprovided I have very little option but to initiate aformal investigation.

It is difficult to escape the conclusion that theappropriate priority is not given to enquiriesconcerning complaints nor is the importance ofproviding full replies within a reasonable timeframe recognised. Even in the case of the formalinvestigations, my Office had to remind Louthand Carlow County Councils of their statutoryobligation to cooperate with investigations,before a reply was forthcoming.

I made recommendations in the reports of thesefour investigations that the County Councilestablish work practices whereby complaintsconcerning breaches of language legislation aredealt with in an appropriate and timely fashion. Ialso recommended that administrative systemsare set in place within the organisation to ensure


ACHOIMRE AR IMSCRÚDUITHE

Comhairle Contae Chiarraí

Léirigh imscrúdú nár chuir Comhairle ContaeChiarraí i bhfeidhm coinníoll teanga a cheangailan Bord Pleanála le cead pleanála a deonaíodhd’fhorbairt tithíochta i mBaile an Fheirtéaraigh inGaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne. Rinneadhfionnachtain dá bharr gur sháraigh anChomhairle Contae forálacha teanga de chuid anAchta um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000.

Is imscrúdú ríthábhachtach atá anseo mar gheallar an gceangal idir todhchaí na Gaeilge martheanga an phobail sa Ghaeltacht agus antionchar a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag fás ar dhaonranach cainteoirí Gaeilge iad ar chosaint na teanga.Léirigh an timscrúdú nár chuir Comhairle ContaeChiarraí an fhoráil teanga ábhartha i bhfeidhm –foráil teanga a bhí daingnithe le dlí chun úsáid naGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a chosaint. Ba shárú thar abheith tromchúiseach é seo, is léir.

In 2004, rinneadh achomharc chuig an mBordPleanála i gcoinne cead pleanála a dheonaighComhairle Contae Chiarraí d’fhorbairt 20 teachcónaithe ar na Cluainte, Baile an Fheirtéaraightoisc nach raibh aon choinníoll maidir le húsáidna Gaeilge ceangailte leis an gcead sin. Chinn anBord Pleanála in 2005 an fhorbairt a laghdú go

SUMMARY OF INVESTIGATIONS

Kerry County Council

An investigation demonstrated that Kerry CountyCouncil did not implement a language conditionAn Bord Pleanála attached to planningpermission granted in respect of a housingdevelopment in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh in theCorca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht. As a result, findingswere made that the County Council breachedlanguage provisions of the Planning andDevelopment Act 2000.

This is a very important investigation due to thelink between the future of the Irish language as acommunity language in the Gaeltacht and theimpact that an increase of nonIrish speakerscould have on the protection of the language.The investigation demonstrated that KerryCounty Council did not implement the relevantlanguage provision − a language provisionconfirmed by law to protect the use of Irish inthe Gaeltacht. This was obviously a very seriousbreach.

In 2004, an appeal was made to An BordPleanála against the granting of planningpermission by Kerry County Council for adevelopment of 20 dwelling houses in NaCluainte, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. The appeal wasmade because no condition concerning the useof the Irish language was attached to thePlanning Permission. An Bord Pleanála decided in2005 to reduce the development to 16 houses

that they adhere to the statutory languageprovisions with regard to signs as confirmed inthe regulations made under the OfficialLanguages Act and in the regulations and ordersmade under the Road Traffic Act 1961.

leis na forálacha reachtúla teanga faoichomharthaí atá daingnithe sna Rialacháin faoiAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus sna rialacháinagus na hordacháin atá déanta faoin Acht umThrácht ar Bhóithre, 1961.

Ba shárú thar a bheithtromchúiseach é seo, is léir. This was obviously a very

serious breach.


dtí 16 theach agus coinníoll a cheangal leis angcead pleanála a deonaíodh “chun oidhreachtteanga agus cultúrtha an limistéir Ghaeltachta seo achosaint” i gcomhréir le cuspóir de chuid PhleanForbartha Contae Chiarraí, 20032009.

De réir an choinníll a ceanglaíodh leis an gceadpleanála, chaithfeadh an forbróir comhaontú adhéanamh le Comhairle Contae Chiarraí faoi alt47 den Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000 suladtosófaí ag tógáil na dtithe. Faoin gcomhaontúsin, chinnteofaí go mbeadh 75% nó 12 de natithe á thógfaí “curtha ar fáil dóibh siúd amháin abhfuil líofacht sásúil i dteanga na Gaeilge taispeántadon údarás pleanála acu.” Bhainfeadh an coinníollleis an dá theach déag sin go ceann fiche bliainagus “le teaghlaigh atá in áitíocht na dtithe, pé marúinéara, léasaithe nó tionóntaithe, taobh amuigh deligean saoire ar feadh tréimhsí mí amháin nó níos lú.”

In 2017, rinne duine den phobal gearán liom inarlíomhnaíodh nár chuir Comhairle Contae Chiarraíi bhfeidhm (nó nár fhéach sí chuige gur cuireadh ibhfeidhm) an coinníoll teanga sin.

Réimse Feidhme an Choimisinéara Teanga

Ní raibh aon imscrúdú déanta cheana ag m’Oifigar ghearán den chineál seo. Ba ghá dom mé féina shásamh go raibh d’údarás agam an gearán afhiosrú. Is de thoradh ceanglas a bhí ar angComhairle Contae faoin bPlean ForbarthaContae, 20032009 a shocraigh an BordPleanála gur chóir coinníoll teanga a chur ar anbhforbairt seo. Faoin Acht um Pleanáil agusForbairt, 2000, caithfidh comhairle contae abhfuil limistéir Ghaeltachta faoina cúram cuspóirífaoi leith a leagan síos ina Plean ForbarthaContae chun oidhreacht teanga agus chultúrthana Gaeltachta a chosaint. Faoin Acht céanna, táde dhualgas ar an údarás pleanála an pleanforbartha a chur i bhfeidhm.

Tar éis na fiosrúcháin chuí a dhéanamh, ba léirdom gur ábhar é seo a tháinig faoi mo dhlínse ótharla gur bhain sé le líomhain go bhféadfadh gursáraíodh foráil d’achtachán a bhain le stádas nóhúsáid teanga oifigiúla, sa chás seo, an tAcht umPleanáil agus Forbairt, 2000.

and to attach a condition to the planningpermission granted “in order to protect thelanguage and cultural heritage of this Gaeltachtarea”, in accordance with an objective of KerryCounty Development Plan 20032009.

The condition attached to the planningpermission required the developer to enter intoan agreement with Kerry County Council undersection 47 of the Planning and Development Act2000 before the building work commenced.Under this agreement it was to be ensured that75% or 12 of houses to be built were providedto “persons who have demonstrated to the planningauthority a reasonable fluency in the Irish language.”This condition would pertain to the twelvehouses for a period of twenty years and “apply tohouseholds who occupy these dwellings whether asowners, lessees or tenants, other than holidaylettings for periods of one month or less.”

In 2017, a member of the public made acomplaint in which it was alleged that KerryCounty Council did not implement this languagecondition or ensure it was implemented.

The jurisdiction of An Coimisinéir Teanga

My Office had not previously investigated such acomplaint and I needed to satisfy myself that thematter came within my authority to investigate. Itwas as a consequence of a requirement on theCounty Council under the County DevelopmentPlan 20032009 that An Bord Pleanála decided toattach a language condition to this development.The Planning and Development Act required anycounty council with Gaeltacht areas within itsarea to include specific objectives within itsCounty Development plan for the protection ofthe linguistic and cultural heritage of theGaeltacht. The same Act requires the planningauthority to implement the development plan.

Having investigated this issue, I concluded thatthis was a matter that came under my jurisdictionas it concerned an allegation that a provision ofan enactment that pertained to the status or useof an official language had possibly beenbreached, in this case, the Planning andDevelopment Act 2000.

Ba ghá dom mé féin ashásamh go raibh d’údarásagam an gearán a fhiosrú.

I needed to satisfy myself thatthe matter came within myauthority to investigate.


Ábhar an ghearáin á tharraingt anuas leComhairle Contae Chiarraí

Sheol mé an timscrúdú foirmiúil ar an 6 Iúil2018 nuair nach raibh aon toradh sásúil ar anbpróiseas neamhfhoirmiúil gearáin a fheidhmíonnm’Oifig mar chéad chéim. B’ábhar míshásaimhdom an mhoill a bhain leis na taifid iomlánaábhartha a chur faoi mo bhráid cé gur ghá aaithint go raibh gné stairiúil ag baint leis animscrúdú seo a d’fhág go bhféadfadh go raibh séníos dúshlánaí na taifid sin a sholáthar. Bhain anchuid ba mhó de na taifid a cuireadh ar fáil domle comhfhreagras le páirtithe éagsúla ach níorcuireadh aon taifead ar fáil a thabharfadh cuntasar chinntí nó ar threoracha inmheánacha laistighden Chomhairle Contae.

Comhaontú faoi alt 47 den Acht um Pleanáilagus Forbairt, 2000

Bhí sé ar cheann de chinntí an Bhoird Pleanálago ndéanfaí na socruithe a bhain le cur ibhfeidhm an choinníll teanga i gcomhaontú a bhíle déanamh idir an Chomhairle Contae agus anforbróir faoi alt 47 den Acht um Pleanáil agusForbairt sula dtosófaí ar an obair thógála.Cuireadh cóip den chomhaontú sin ar fáil dom.Shínigh an dá pháirtí é ar an 16 Bealtaine 2006.Thug mé suntas go raibh tús le cur leis anbhforbairt féin roinnt míonna roimhe sin, ar an 6Feabhra 2006, de réir fógra tosaithe a bhí tugthaag an bhforbróir don Chomhairle Contae i míEanáir na bliana sin.

In ainneoin go raibh an coinníoll teangadearbhaithe sa chomhaontú agus go raibhsocruithe don tástáil inniúlachta teanga luaiteann, mheas mé go raibh lochtanna bunúsacha aran gcomhaontú a d’fhág nach raibh sé oiriúnachdá fheidhm. Ní raibh aon socruithe sonraithe sachomhaontú faoin mbealach a dtabharfaí feidhmdon cheanglas teanga nuair a bhí sé beartaitheúinéireacht a aistriú nó úsáid a athrú. Ba lochtbunúsach é seo a d’fhág nach raibh aon

The complaint is raised with Kerry CountyCouncil

As the informal complaint process that my Officeoperates had not led to any successfulconclusion in this case, I launched the formalinvestigation on 6 July 2018. The delay inproviding the relevant and complete records wasunsatisfactory, although it should beacknowledged that there was an historical aspectto the investigation and that the provision ofthose records was possibly more challenging.The bulk of the records provided to me consistedof correspondence with various parties but norecords were provided that would give anyaccount of internal decisions made or directionsgiven within the County Council.

An Agreement under Section 47 of thePlanning and Development Act 2000

One of the decisions made by An Bord Pleanálawas that the arrangements for theimplementation of the language condition wouldbe set out in an agreement made between theCounty Council and the developer under section47 of the Planning and Development Act beforethe building work commenced. A copy of theagreement was provided to me. It was signed bythe two parties on 16 May 2006. I noticed thatthe development had commenced severalmonths previously, on 6 February 2006,according to the commencement notice providedby the developer to the County Council inJanuary of the same year.

Although the language condition was affirmed inthe agreement and reference was made toarrangements for the assessment of languagecompetency, it appeared to me that there werefundamental faults in this agreement thatrendered it not fit for purpose. No arrangementswere specified in the agreement concerning theway the language requirement was to beimplemented when ownership was beingtransferred or in the case of a change of use.This was a fundamental fault resulting in no legalor practical arrangements being in place to

…mheas mé go raibhlochtanna bunúsacha ar angcomhaontú a d’fhág nachraibh sé oiriúnach dá fheidhm.

…it appeared to me thatthere were fundamentalfaults in this agreement thatrendered it not fit for purpose.


socruithe dlíthiúla ná praiticiúla déanta faoinagcuirfí an Chomhairle Contae ar an eolas goraibh úinéireacht á haistriú ná faoina ndéanfaímeasúnú ar inniúlacht teanga, an tráth sin.

Sonraí na gCeannaitheoirí

Idir na blianta 2006 agus 2008, scríobh anChomhairle Contae chuig dlíodóir an fhorbrórafaoi dhó ag iarraidh sonraí an ghníomhaire eastáitagus trí huaire ag iarraidh sonraí cheannaitheoirína dtithe. Ní léir gur chuir an dlíodóir an teolasar fáil riamh bíodh is gur bhagair an ChomhairleContae imeachtaí dlí. D’éirigh an ChomhairleContae as an hiarrachtaí sin in 2008.

In éagmais taifid ábhartha, ní bhfuarthas aonléargas cruinn ar dhearcadh na ComhairleContae i leith chur i bhfeidhm an choinníll sin lelinn na tréimhse sin 20052008 ná faoi nacéimeanna a pleanáladh chun é a chur ibhfeidhm. Bunaithe ar an bhfianaise a cuireadhar fáil don imscrúdú, ba léir dom an méid seo aleanas i dtaca leis na hiarrachtaí a rinneadh:

1. Is cosúil gur tosaíodh an fhorbairt sulandearnadh comhaontú faoi alt 47 leis anbhforbróir.

2. Ní raibh forálacha an chomhaontaitheoiriúnach, i mo thuairimse, chun a chuspóir achur i gcrích.

3. Bhí doiléire, moill agus patuaire ag baint leisna gníomhartha a rinneadh chun ancomhaontú sin a chur i bhfeidhm agus ní raibhaon toradh orthu.

4. Éiríodh as na hiarrachtaí sin ar fad in 2008.

Ba léir freisin nár cuireadh agallamh Gaeilge araon áititheoir fadtéarmach agus nach ndeachthasi dteagmháil le ceannaitheoir aon cheann de natithe a raibh an ceanglas Gaeilge ag baint leo,d’fhonn a chinntiú go gcuirfí an ceanglas sin ibhfeidhm.

Rinneadh fionnachtain gur theip ar ChomhairleContae Chiarraí cuspóir Sg22 de PhleanForbartha Contae Chiarraí, 20032009 a chur igcrích.

Príomh-mholtaí an Imscrúdaithe

Mhol mé go nullmhódh agus go mbunódhComhairle Contae Chiarraí nósanna imeachtachun mo shástachta a bheidh le leanúint in aon

ensure that the County Council was informedwhen ownership was being transferred andwhereby language competence would beassessed at this stage.

Purchasers’ details

Between 2006 and 2008, the County Councilwrote to the developer’s solicitor on twooccasions requesting the details of the estateagent and three times requesting details of thepurchasers of the houses. It appears that thesolicitor never furnished this information eventhough the County Council threatened legalaction. The County Council abandoned theseefforts in 2008.

In the absence of any relevant evidence, noaccurate insight was available into the attitude ofthe County Council to the implementation of thiscondition during the period between 2005 and2008 or into the steps that were planned toimplement it. Based on the evidence that wasprovided to the investigation, the following wasclear to me concerning the efforts made:

1. It appears that the development commencedbefore an agreement was made with thedeveloper under section 47.

2. The provisions of the agreement were notappropriate, in my opinion, to achieve itsobjective.

3. The actions taken to implement theagreement demonstrated a lack of clarity,procrastination and a lack of commitment andthey were ineffective.

4. These efforts were completely abandoned in2008.

It was also clear that no longterm occupier wasever interviewed to determine their ability inIrish nor was any purchaser of any of the housesthat that had an Irishlanguage requirementattached to it ever contacted for the purpose ofensuring that this requirement was fulfilled.

A finding was made that Kerry County Councilfailed to implement objective Sg22 of the KerryCounty Development Plan 20032009.

Main Recommendations of the Investigation

I recommended that Kerry County Councilprepare and establish, to my satisfaction,procedures to be followed in any case where a


Comhairle Contae na Mí

Léirigh imscrúdú gur sháraigh Comhairle Contaena Mí na dualgais reachtúla teanga atádaingnithe sna rialacháin i dtaca lecomharthaíocht faoi fhoalt 9(1) d’Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus dualgaisreachtúla teanga maidir le comharthaí tráchta.

Ó thús na bliana 2015 rinneadh 28 gearán lem’Oifig faoi chomharthaí de chuid ChomhairleContae na Mí a fiosraíodh leis an gComhairleContae ar bhonn neamhfhoirmiúil. Bhain moillfhada le freagra a chur ar fáil i gcás cuidshuntasach de na gearáin sin ach rinneadh dulchun cinn le linn na bliana 2018. Freagraíodhformhór na ngearán sin agus ceartaíodh nó

Meath County Council

An investigation found that Meath CountyCouncil breached the statutory languageobligations regarding signs in the regulationsmade under section 9(1) of the OfficialLanguages Act 2003 and the statutory languageobligations concerning traffic signs.

Since the beginning of 2015, 28 complaints weremade to my Office concerning signs erected byMeath County Council. These were raised withthe County Council on an informal basis. Therewere long delays in answering a substantial

language requirement is attached to planningpermission for a housing development in theGaeltacht, in order to ensure that the languagerequirement is implemented effectively.

I also recommended that the County Councilinform my Office, for the next five years, of anyplanning permission granted in the KerryGaeltacht for large planning applications orapplications in respect of three dwellings ormore. This should include information relating tothe way the relevant objectives in Kerry CountyDevelopment Plan concerning the use of theIrish language were fulfilled when the applicationwas considered. Where a condition concerningthe use of the Irish language was attached to aplanning permission I also required thatinformation be provided about the arrangementsput in place to confirm that the condition isfulfilled.

Investigation launched: 6 July 2018Report issued: 21 March 2019

chás ina leagtar coinníoll teanga ar cheadpleanála ar fhorbairt tithíochta sa Ghaeltachtchun feidhm éifeachtach a thabhairt donchoinníoll sin.

Mhol mé, chomh maith, go gcuirfeadh ComhairleContae Chiarraí an Oifig seo ar an eolas maidir lehaon chead pleanála a dheonófar i nGaeltachtChiarraí go ceann cúig bliana i dtaca le hiarrataismhóra phleanála nó iarratais i leith forbairt breisagus trí theach cónaithe. D’áireofaí freisin an tslíar comhlíonadh na cuspóirí ábhartha de chuidPhlean Forbartha Contae Chiarraí a bhaineannleis an nGaeilge nuair a bhí an tiarratas pleanálasin á mheas. Sa chás go gceanglófaí coinníoll lecead pleanála a bhaineann le húsáid na Gaeilge,ba ghá faisnéis a thabhairt don Oifig seo i dtaobhna socruithe a chuirfear i bhfeidhm chuncomhlíonadh an choinníll sin a dheimhniú.

Imscrúdú seolta: 6 Iúil 2018Tuarascáil eisithe: 21 Márta 2019

B’ábhar díomá dom gur lig anChomhairle Contae fiosruithea bhain le gearáin bhailí dular aghaidh chomh fada sin.

It was disappointing that theCounty Council should allowinquiries into legitimatecomplaints to drag on for solong.


athraíodh na comharthaí sin de réir mar ba ghá.Mar sin féin, i mí Feabhra 2019 bhí seacht gcinnde na gearáin sin nach bhfuarthas freagracríochnúil orthu go fóill agus roinnt díobh a bhí ábhfiosrú le fada.

B’ábhar díomá dom gur lig an Chomhairle Contaefiosruithe a bhain le gearáin bhailí dul ar aghaidhchomh fada sin. Bhí na gearánaigh i dteidealfreagra a fháil agus na botúin a bheith ceartaithe.Caitheadh go leor d’acmhainn m’Oifige ag plé leisna gearáin seo, gearáin ar cheart é a bheith éascago maith iad a réiteach. Leis an moill dhoghlactha a bhí ar an gComhairle déileáil leis anbhfadhb, ní raibh an dara rogha agam achimscrúdú a thionscnamh i gcás na seachtngearán nár réitíodh go fóill.

Formhór na gcomharthaí sin ba i mBéarla amháina bhí an téacs orthu ach áiríodh comharthadátheangach amháin a raibh earráid sa téacs inGaeilge air agus ar a raibh an téacs i nGaeilge níba lú ná an téacs i mBéarla.

Sa fhreagra a chuir Comhairle Contae na Mí arfáil, aithníodh go raibh na comharthaí arneamhréir leis an reachtaíocht ábhartha teanga.Míníodh freisin gur tugadh tosaíocht do réiteachcheist na gcomharthaí d’fhonn an obair sin athabhairt chun críche a luaithe agus ab fhéidir.

Cuireadh tuairisc ar fáil don imscrúdú maidir leisan staid reatha a bhain le gach comhartha. Bhícomharthaí nua deartha nó curtha á ndearadh,bhí comharthaí neamhghéilliúla á mbaint anuasagus bhí comhartha nua curtha in airde faointráth sin i gcás ceann amháin díobh.

Ghlac an Chomhairle Contae leithscéal as anmoill mhíchuí a bhain le réiteach ábhar nangearán agus dheimhnigh sí a tiomantas leanúintleis an obair chun cáilíocht na comharthaíochta afheabhsú sa todhchaí.


Mhol mé don Chomhairle Contae na comharthaía áiríodh san imscrúdú a cheartú nó a athrú, gogcloífí feasta leis na forálacha reachtúla teanganuair a bheadh comharthaí á gcur in airde agusgo ndaingneofaí nósanna imeachta le plé go cuíagus go tráthúil le gearáin faoi sháruithe arreachtaíocht teanga.

Imscrúdú seolta: 8 Feabhra 2019Tuarascáil eisithe: 28 Bealtaine 2019

number of these complaints but progress wasmade during 2018. Nonetheless, by February2019, seven complaints remained unresolved,some of which had been pursued for a very longtime.

It was disappointing that the County Councilshould allow inquiries into legitimate complaintsto drag on for so long. The complainants wereentitled to a reply and to have mistakes corrected.A considerable amount of my Office’s resourceswas expended in pursuing these complaints thatcould have been easily resolved. In view of theunacceptable delay in dealing with this difficulty Ihad no choice but to initiate an investigation inthe case of the seven unresolved complaints.

The majority of the signs were in English onlybut one bilingual sign was included where therewas an error in the Irishlanguage text and wherethe Irishlanguage text was smaller than the textin English.

It was acknowledged, in the reply from MeathCounty Council, that the signs were not inaccordance with the relevant languagelegislation. It was also explained that thequestion of the signs had been given prioritywith a view to completing the work as soon aspossible.

A report was provided to the investigation of thecurrent situation regarding each sign. New signswere designed or being designed, noncompliantsigns were being removed and, in the case ofone of these, a new sign had already beenerected.

The County Council apologised for theinordinate delay in resolving these complaintsand confirmed its resolve to continue its work toimprove the standard of its signage in the future.

Main recommendations of the Investigation

It was recommended that the County Councilamend or replace the signs which were thesubject of the investigation, that it ensure infuture that the statutory language provisions areadhered to when new signs are erected and thatprocedures are put in place to deal appropriatelyand in a timely fashion with complaints receivedconcerning breaches of language legislation.

Investigation launched: 8 February 2019Report issued: 28 May 2019

Wexford County Council

An investigation found that Wexford CountyCouncil breached the statutory languageobligations regarding signs in the regulationsmade under section 9(1) of the OfficialLanguages Act 2003 and the statutory languageobligations concerning traffic signs.

By November 2018, my Office was informallyinvestigating twelve complaints concerningsignage with Wexford County Council. No replyor final reply had been received in respect ofthese complaints despite continuing efforts toresolve them. Seven of these complaints wereoriginally raised with the County Council morethan a year earlier and two years earlier in thecase of five of those complaints. I decided, inthese circumstances, to commence a formalinvestigation.

I had previously conducted an investigation intoWexford County Council in 2015 with regard tosigns and I had made a determination in thatinvestigation that the County Council hadbreached its statutory language obligations byerecting signs in English only. In thatinvestigation report, I recommended thatWexford County Council ensure that thestatutory language provisions contained in theregulations made under the Official LanguagesAct were, in future, fully and appropriatelyadhered to in the case of new signs and thatworking practices should be established to dealwith complaints concerning breaches oflanguage legislation in an appropriate and timelyfashion.

Evidence was being presented to me in the formof complaints that Wexford County Council wasstill erecting signs without adhering to theprovisions of the regulations. In view of thecomplaints received by my Office and the lack of


Comhairle Contae Loch Garman

Léirigh imscrúdú gur sháraigh Comhairle ContaeLoch Garman na dualgais reachtúla teanga atádaingnithe sna rialacháin i dtaca lecomharthaíocht faoi fhoalt 9(1) d’Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus dualgaisreachtúla teanga maidir le comharthaí tráchta.

Faoi mhí na Samhna 2018, bhí dhá ghearán déaga bhain le comharthaí á bhfiosrú goneamhfhoirmiúil ag m’Oifigse le ComhairleContae Loch Garman. Ní raibh freagra nó freagracríochnúil faighte orthu go fóill, d’ainneoiniarrachtaí leanúnacha réiteach a fháil orthu. Bhíos cionn bliana caite ó tarraingíodh anuas seachtgcinn de na gearáin sin leis an gComhairleContae den chéad uair agus dhá bhliain caite igcás cúig cinn díobhsan. Rinne mé cinneadh snacúinsí sin imscrúdú foirmiúil a sheoladh.

Rinne mé imscrúdú cheana ar ChomhairleContae Loch Garman in 2015 maidir lecomharthaí dá cuid agus rinne mé fionnachtainsan imscrúdú sin go raibh an Chomhairle Contaeag sárú na ndualgas reachtúil teanga tríchomharthaí i mBéarla amháin a chur in airde. Idtuarascáil an imscrúdaithe sin, mhol mé doChomhairle Contae Loch Garman a chinntiú gogcloífí go hiomlán agus go cuí leis na forálachareachtúla teanga atá sna rialacháin a rinneadhfaoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i gcáscomharthaí nua agus go ndaingneofaí cleachtaisoibre chun plé go cuí agus go tráthúil le gearáinfaoi sháruithe ar reachtaíocht teanga.

Bhí fianaise á cur faoi mo bhráid i bhfoirm nangearán go raibh comharthaí fós á gcur in airdeag Comhairle Contae Loch Garman gan cloí leisna forálacha reachtúla atá sna rialacháin. Ibhfianaise na ngearán a rinneadh le m’Oifig agusan easpa dul chun cinn a rinneadh nuair a

Bhí os cionn bliana caite ótarraingíodh anuas seachtgcinn de na gearáin sin leisan gComhairle Contae denchéad uair…

Seven of these complaintswere originally raised withthe County Council more thana year earlier…


progress made when the complaints were raisedwith the County Council, it was a matter ofconcern to me that it appeared that the CountyCouncil had not implemented theserecommendations, implemented them effectivelyor had subsequently ceased to implement them.

The County Council confirmed in its replies thatthe noncompliant signs were corrected or in theprocess of being corrected. Furthermore, theCounty Council provided to the investigation adescription of the system it had in place toinvestigate complaints raised by my Office and itinformed the investigation that a review of thesystem was being carried out to identify andcorrect the difficulties involved “as part of aneffort to ensure that complaints are dealt with in amore structured and prompt way in future.”

With regard to new signs, it was acknowledgedin the County Council’s reply that the procedureswere not being followed (or always followed) inthe appropriate manner in certain areas orsections of the organisation and that a moresystematic process was required “to ensure that asystem existed to check that all new signageacquired fulfils the requirements of the OfficialLanguages Act, no matter which section is involved.”The investigation was informed that theprocedure had been amended and that an extrastep had been added. In future a draft of anynew sign is to be submitted to the Irish LanguageOfficer for proofing before proceeding with theconstruction of the new sign.


In addition to correcting the signs, Irecommended that the County Council completethe review of the complaints investigationprocess referred to in its reply and implementany amendments necessary to have an effectivesystem in place to investigate and reply tocomplaints in an appropriate and timely fashion.

I also recommended that the County Councilissue to its staff amended procedures forordering signs and submit recommendations to

fiosraíodh na gearáin seo leis an gComhairleContae, b’údar imní dom go bhféadfadh sé nárchuir an Chomhairle Contae na moltaí sin ibhfeidhm, i bhfeidhm go héifeachtach, nó guréiríodh as a gcur i bhfeidhm.

I bhfreagraí na Comhairle Contae, deimhníodh goraibh na comharthaí neamhghéilliúla ceartaithenó á gceartú. Ina theannta sin, thug anChomhairle Contae cur síos don imscrúdú ar angcóras a bhí i bhfeidhm acu chun gearáin óm’Oifig a fhiosrú agus a fhreagairt agus thug sí lefios go raibh athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ar angcóras sin chun na deacrachtaí atá ag baint leis ashainaithint agus a réiteach “mar chuid d’iarrachta chinntiú go rachfar i ngleic le gearáin ar bhealachníos struchtúrtha agus níos tráthúla amach anseo.”

Maidir le comharthaí nua, aithníodh i bhfreagrana Comhairle Contae nach raibh na nósannaimeachta sin á leanúint (nó á leanúint i gcónaí)mar is cóir in áiteanna nó in earnálacha áirithesan eagraíocht agus nár mhór próiseas ní bachórasaí a chur i bhfeidhm “chun a chinntiú gombeidh córas seiceála i gceist le gachcomharthaíocht nua a fhaightear chun ceanglaisAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 achomhlíonadh, maidir le cibé rannóg a bheidh igceist.” Cuireadh in iúl don imscrúdú go raibh nanósanna imeachta leasaithe ag an gComhairleContae agus go raibh céim bhreise á cur leo. Bachóir feasta an dréacht d’aon chomhartha nua achur faoi bhráid an Oifigigh Gaeilge le profú sulagcuirtear an comhartha nua sin á dhéanamh.


Chomh maith leis na comharthaí a cheartú, mholmé don Chomhairle Contae go dtabharfaí chuncríche an tathbhreithniú ar an bpróiseasfiosraithe gearán ar tagraíodh dó ina freagra ar animscrúdú agus go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm aon leasuitheis gá chun go mbeadh córas éifeachtach ibhfeidhm chun go bhfiosrófar agus gobhfreagrófar gearáin go críochnúil agus go sásúil.

Ina theannta sin, mhol mé nósanna imeachtaleasaithe maidir le hordú comharthaí nua aeisiúint chuig an bhfoireann agus moltaí a chur

…aithníodh i bhfreagra naComhairle Contae nach raibhna nósanna imeachta sin áleanúint…

…it was acknowledged in theCounty Council’s reply thatthe procedures were notbeing followed…


faoi mo bhráid maidir leis na céimeanna breiseatá beartaithe ag an gComhairle Contae d’fhonna dheimhniú go bhfuil na nósanna imeachta sinar eolas ag an bhfoireann agus á leanúint acuagus go bhfuil siad daingnithe marghnáthchleachtas ar fud na heagraíochta.

Cé gur i nGaeilge a scríobh mé chuig angComhairle Contae i dtaca leis an imscrúdú, ba imBéarla a bhí an chéad leagan de dhá fhreagraón gComhairle Contae, cé gur cuireadh leaganGaeilge ar fáil ina dhiaidh sin. Is den riachtanas égo mbeadh socruithe i bhfeidhm ag comhlachtaípoiblí chun déileáil go héifeachtach le cumarsáidi scríbhinn as Gaeilge, pé acu uaimse nó ó aonduine eile. Rinne mé moladh dá réir sin.

Imscrúdú seolta: 23 Samhain 2018Tuarascáil eisithe: 17 Iúil 2019

me concerning the steps to be taken to ensurethat staff are aware of the procedures and arefollowing them and that the procedures areestablished as normal practice throughout theorganisation.

Although I had written in Irish to the CountyCouncil regarding the investigation, the firstversion of the two replies received from theCounty Council were in English although Irishlanguage versions were subsequently provided.All public bodies need to have arrangements inplace to deal effectively with writtencorrespondence in Irish, from me or fromanybody else. I recommended that this be done.

Investigation launched: 23 November 2018Report issued: 17 July 2019

Comhairle Contae Lú

Léirigh imscrúdú gur sháraigh Comhairle ContaeLú na dualgais teanga atá sna forálacha reachtúlaseo a leanas:

• alt 9(2) d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003trí chumarsáid leis an bpost leictreonach inGaeilge a fhreagairt i mBéarla,

• alt 18(1) den Acht toisc nár cuireadh ibhfeidhm gealltanais áirithe a daingníodh iScéim Teanga na Comhairle Contae abhaineann le soláthar seirbhísí agus eolais inGaeilge ar shuíomh gréasáin na ComhairleContae, agus

• na rialacháin agus na hordacháin atá déantafaoi fhoailt 95(2) agus 95(16) den Acht umThrácht ar Bhóithre, 1961 i gcás comharthaítráchta áirithe.

Idir na blianta 2016 agus 2018, rinneadh cúigghearán liom faoi na hábhair a bhain leis animscrúdú seo. D’fhiosraigh m’Oifig na gearáin arbhonn neamhfhoirmiúil le Comhairle Contae Lúach níor chuir an Chomhairle Contae freagra, nófreagra críochnúil, ar fáil. Scríobh mé féin chuigPríomhfheidhmeannach na Comhairle Contae ar

Louth County Council

An investigation demonstrated that LouthCounty Council infringed the languageobligations in the following statutory provisions:

• section 9(2) of the Official Languages Act 2003by replying in English to an electroniccorrespondence written in Irish.

• section 18(1) of the Act by failing to implementcertain commitments made in the CountyCouncil’s language scheme that concern theprovision of services and information throughIrish on the County Council’s website, and

• the regulations and orders made undersubsections 95(2) and (5(16) of the RoadTraffic Act 1961 in the case of certain trafficsigns.

Between 2016 and 2018, I received fivecomplaints concerning the matters addressed inthis investigation. My Office raised thecomplaints with Louth County Council on aninformal basis but the County Council did notreply or reply fully. I wrote to the Chief Executive


an 2 Aibreán 2019 maidir leis na gearáin. Níorfreagraíodh an litir sin. Rinne mé cinneadh dábharr sin, ar an 20 Bealtaine 2019, imscrúdú asheoladh agus lorg mé freagra faoin 11Meitheamh 2019. Níor chuir an ChomhairleContae freagra ar fáil dom go dtí an 5 Iúil 2019.

Freagra i mBéarla

Sheol gearánach ríomhphost i nGaeilge chuig angComhairle Contae ar an 30 Iúil 2018 agus cé gobhfuair sé freagra uathoibríoch ar ais óngComhairle Contae a bhí dátheangach, fuair sédhá fhreagra ina dhiaidh sin a bhí i mBéarlaamháin. De réir alt 9(2) d’Acht na dTeangachaOifigiúla, tá dualgas ar chomhlachtaí poiblícumarsáid i scríbhinn (lena náirítearríomhphoist) a fhreagairt sa teanga oifigiúilchéanna ina bhfuarthas í.

Chuir an Chomhairle Contae in iúl ina freagra aran imscrúdú gur meabhraíodh do gach rannógnach mór aon chumarsáid a fhaightear tríGhaeilge a fhreagairt i nGaeilge agus gur iarradhorthu dréachtfhreagraí a chur chuig an OifigeachGaeilge chun iad a aistriú.

Suíomh Gréasáin

Daingníodh ScéimTeanga faoi Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla in2007 i gcás ÚdaráisÁitiúla Lú. Tugadhgealltanais sa ScéimTeanga sin eolas agusseirbhísí áirithe a churar fáil i nGaeilge agus imBéarla ar shuíomhgréasáin na ComhairleContae lena náirítearan tábhar statach,foirmeacha, córaisríomhíocaíochta agusidirghníomhaíochtaagus foilseacháináirithe ar nós na dtuarascálacha bliantúla agus naráiteas airgeadais.

Rinneadh dhá ghearán liom nach raibh nagealltanais seo á gcur i bhfeidhm ag ComhairleContae Lú agus rinne m’Oifig faireachán archomhlíonadh na ngealltanas sin de chuid naScéime Teanga faoi alt 21(a) d’Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla. Scríobh BainisteoirGéilliúlachta na hOifige seo chuigPríomhfheidhmeannach na Comhairle Contae ar

of the County Council on 2 April 2019concerning the complaints. This letter was notreplied to. I consequently decided on 20 May2019 to launch an investigation and I required areply by 11 June 2019. The County Council didnot reply until 5 July 2019.

Reply in English

The complainant sent an email in Irish to theCounty Council on 30 July 2018 and althoughhe received an automatic acknowledgementthat was bilingual, he subsequently receivedtwo replies in English only. According to section9(2) of the Official Languages Act, publicbodies are required to reply to writtencommunication (including emails) in the sameofficial language in which the communicationwas received.

In its reply, the County Council informed theinvestigation that every section had beenreminded that any communication receive in Irishshould be replied to in Irish and they had beenadvised to send draftreplies to the IrishLanguage Officer for translation.

Website

A Language Schemewas confirmed underthe Official LanguagesAct in the case ofLouth Local Authoritiesin 2007. Commitmentswere made in thisLanguage Scheme toprovide certaininformation andservices on the CountyCouncil’s website inIrish, including staticcontent, forms, epayment systems,interactive services andcertain publications

such as the annual report and financialstatements.

I received two complaints that Louth CountyCouncil were not adhering to thesecommitments contained in the Language Schemeand my Office also carried out an audit ofcompliance with these commitments undersection 21(c) of the Official Languages Act. ThisOffice’s Compliance Manager wrote to theCounty Council’s Chief Executive on 28 February


an 28 Feabhra 2019 chun a chur in iúl di nachbhfacthas don Oifig go raibh na gealltanais sin ágcomhlíonadh go sásúil.

I bhfreagra na Comhairle Contae ar an imscrúdú,glacadh leis nár comhlíonadh agus nár cuireadh ibhfeidhm gach ceann de ghealltanais na ScéimeTeanga ach mhaígh sí go raibh sí tiomanta dácuid oibleagáidí faoin scéim sin a chomhlíonadh.

Gearáin faoi Chomharthaí Tráchta

Rinneadh trí ghearán liom maidir le comharthaítráchta i gContae Lú a tarraingíodh anuas leComhairle Contae Lú agus nach bhfuarthasfreagra, nó freagra críochnúil, orthu. Sa fhreagraar an imscrúdú, dheimhnigh an ChomhairleContae go raibh tuairisc tugtha don rannógábhartha agus gur cuireadh ceartú fhormhór nagcomharthaí sin ar an gclár oibreacha. Níortugadh le fios cén uair a cheartófaí nacomharthaí sin.

Bhain gearán amháin, áfach, le comharthaítráchta agus an logainm “Ó Méith” orthu arbhóithre an R168 agus an R132. Thug angearánach le fios go raibh an logainm litrithe gomíchruinn (“O Méith” – gan síneadh fada ar an“O”). Chuir an Chomhairle Contae in iúl inafreagra dar dáta an 5 Iúil go ndearnadh cuardachagus nár aimsíodh aon chomhartha ar a raibh anlogainm “Ó Méith” litrithe go míchruinn. Iarradh aran bhfoireann, áfach, a dúradh, leanúint orthu ágcuardach agus go gceartófaí aon cheann a bhílitrithe go míchruinn dá naimseofaí a leithéid.

Ar an 11 Lúnasa 2019, thaistil oifigeach de chuidna hOifige seo bóithre an R168 agus an R132agus chonaic sé go raibh “O Méith” ar thuairimagus 12 chomhartha tráchta. Go deimhin, ní fhacasé an logainm litrithe go cruinn ar aon chomharthatráchta (seachas dhá chomhartha ealaíonta arimeall thoir agus thiar an tsráidbhaile féin).


Mhol mé don Chomhairle Contae pé socruitheba ghá a chur i bhfeidhm chun a chinntiú gogcloífí leis an dualgas reachtúil atá uirthi aonchumarsáid i scríbhinn, nó leis an bpost

2019 to inform her that it appeared to thisOffice that these commitments were not beingsatisfactorily complied with.

In its reply to the investigation, the CountyCouncil conceded that not every commitmentmade in the Language Scheme had beenimplemented or complied with but the Councilasserted that it fully committed to fulfilling itsobligations under the Scheme.

Complaints concerning traffic signs

I received three complaints concerning trafficsigns that were raised with Louth County Councilwhich hadn’t been replied to or replied to fully.In the reply to the investigation, the CountyCouncil confirmed that a report had been sent tothe relevant section and that the majority ofthese signs had been placed on the worksschedule. It was not indicated when these signswould be corrected.

One complaint related to traffic signs containingthe place name “Ó Méith” on the R168 and R132roads. The complainant indicated that the placename was misspelt (“O Méith” – without asíneadh fada on the “O”). The County Councilinformed the investigation in its reply of 5 Julythat a search had been carried out and no signhad been found with the placename “Ó Méith”incorrectly spelt. The Council said, however, thatits staff were requested to continue searchingand that it would correct incorrect signs if anywere found.

On 11 August 2019, an officer of this Officetravelled the R168 and the R132 roads andfound “O Méith” on about twelve traffic signs.Indeed, he failed to find any road sign where theplace name was correctly spelt (with theexception of two artistic signs on the easternand western edge of the village itself).


I recommended that the County Council put inplace whatever arrangements were necessary toensure that it complied with the statutory

…ní fhaca sé an logainmlitrithe go cruinn ar aonchomhartha tráchta…

…he failed to find any roadsign where the place namewas correctly spelt…


leictreonach, a fhaightear i nGaeilge a fhreagairtsa teanga chéanna.

Mhol mé go nullmhófaí plean gníomhaíochtamaidir le heolas agus seirbhísí a chur ar fáil asGaeilge ar a suíomh gréasáin i gcomhréir leis nagealltanais déanta ina Scéim Teanga agus gondéanfaí socruithe san eagraíocht chun achinntiú go gcloítear leis na gealltanais sin feastanuair a bheidh athruithe á gcur i bhfeidhm ar ansuíomh nó faisnéis nó saoráidí nua á gcur air.

Mhol mé freisin na comharthaí tráchta asonraíodh san imscrúdú a cheartú nó a athrúagus go ndaingneofaí cleachtais oibre saChomhairle Contae chun plé go cuí agus gotráthúil le gearáin ón Oifig seo.

Imscrúdú seolta: 20 Bealtaine 2019Tuarascáil eisithe: 16 Deireadh Fómhair 2019

obligation to reply in Irish to any writtencommunication or electronic mail received in Irish.

I recommended that the County Council preparean action plan to provide information andservices in Irish on its website in accordance withthe commitments made in the Language Schemeand that arrangements be set in place to ensurethat the commitment is adhered to in futurewhen changes are made to the website or newinformation or facilities made available on it.

I also recommended that the traffic signs specifiedin the investigation are corrected and that workpractices are established in the County Councilto ensure that complaints raised by this Office aredealt with appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Investigation launched: 20 May 2019Report issued: 16 October 2019

Comhairle ContaeCheatharlach

Léirigh imscrúdú gur sháraigh Comhairle ContaeCheatharlach na dualgais reachtúla teanga atádaingnithe sna rialacháin i dtaca lecomharthaíocht faoi fhoalt 9(1) d’Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agus dualgaisreachtúla teanga maidir le comharthaí tráchta.

Rinneadh trí ghearán liom in 2017 agus 2018maidir leis an easpa Gaeilge ar chomharthaí imbaile Cheatharlach ar chosúil gur chomharthaíde chuid Chomhairle Contae Cheatharlach iad.Fiosraíodh na gearáin sin leis an gComhairleContae tríd an bpróiseas neamhfhoirmiúil afheidhmíonn m’Oifig mar chéad chéim. Níoréirigh leis an gComhairle Contae aon fhreagra achur ar fáil ar na gearáin sin in ainneoin ceithrecinn de mheabhrúcháin a bheith curtha chuig angComhairle Contae ag m’Oifig, i ndiaidh abhfiosraithe den chéad uair.

Carlow County Council

An investigation found that Carlow CountyCouncil breached the statutory languageobligations with regard to signs in the regulationsmade under section 9(1) of the OfficialLanguages Act 2003 and the statutory languageobligations concerning traffic signs.

I received three complaints in 2017 and 2018concerning the absence of Irish on signs inCarlow town that appeared to be signsbelonging to Carlow County Council. Thesecomplaints were raised through the informalprocess my Office operates as a first step. TheCounty Council failed to reply to any of thesecomplaints notwithstanding four reminders sentby my Office after originally raising thecomplaints.


Rinne mé imscrúdú cheana ar ChomhairleContae Cheatharlach in 2015 maidir lecomharthaí dá cuid, agus i measc na moltaí arinne mé i dtuarascáil an imscrúdaithe sin, mholmé go ndaingneofaí cleachtas oibre saChomhairle Contae le plé go cuí agus go tráthúille gearáin faoi sháruithe ar reachtaíocht teanga.B’ábhar mór díomá dom mar sin nach raibhgearáin ó m’Oifigse á bhfreagairt ag ComhairleContae Cheatharlach agus gur ghá domimscrúdú a sheoladh arís d’fhonn fionnachtana adhéanamh ar ábhar na ngearán a bhí déanta liom.Sheol mé an timscrúdú ar an 4 Iúil 2019.

Nuair nach bhfuarthas aon fhreagra óngComhairle Contae, b’éigean do m’Oifig scríobhchuig an bPríomhfheidhmeannach arís ar an 7Lúnasa 2019 chun comhairle a chur uirthi goraibh ceanglas reachtúil faoin Acht freagra a churar fáil. D’fhreagair an Chomhairle Contae i dtúsbáire ar an 3 Meán Fómhair 2019 agus chuir sífreagra níos iomláine ar fáil i bhfoirm tuarascáildar dáta an 18 Deireadh Fómhair 2019.

Sa fhreagra a chuir Comhairle ContaeCheatharlach ar fáil, glacadh leis go raibh nacomharthaí ar neamhréir leis an reachtaíochtábhartha teanga. Deimhníodh go raibhcéimeanna á nglacadh sna rannóga ábhartha denChomhairle Contae chun na comharthaí sin acheartú agus nuair a bheidís ceartaithe, go gcuirfíar fáil fianaise á dheimhniú sin. Mhaígh anChomhairle Contae go raibh an luchtbainistíochta agus an fhoireann andáiríre faoichomhlíonadh na ndualgas reachtúil teanga abhaineann le comharthaí.

Tugadh le fios go raibh córas i bhfeidhm ag angComhairle Contae chun plé le gearáin ach gondearnadh roinnt athruithe foirne le déanaí saRannóg Seirbhísí Corparáideacha agus go raibh“easpa leanúnachais mar thoradh air.” Maíodh gorabhthas tar éis aghaidh a thabhairt ar an gceistsin.

I had previously carried out an investigation ofCarlow County Council in 2015 concerningCouncil signs and included in therecommendations made in the investigationreport I recommended that work practices beestablished in the County Council to deal in anappropriate and timely manner with complaintsconcerning breaches of language legislation. Itwas very disappointing that Carlow CountyCouncil was still not replying to complaints andthat I needed to launch another investigation tomake findings regarding complaints made to me.I launched the investigation on 4 July 2019.

As no reply was received, my Office wrote to theChief Executive again on 7 August 2019 toadvise her that there was a statutoryrequirement under the Act to reply. The CountyCouncil replied first on 3 September andprovided a more comprehensive reply in theform of a report dated 18 October 2019.

In the reply provided by Carlow County Council,it was accepted that the signs were not inaccordance with the relevant languagelegislation. It was confirmed that steps werebeing taken in the relevant sections of theCounty Council to correct the signs and whenthey were corrected, evidence would beprovided to confirm this. The County Councilasserted that the management and staff werehighly committed to fulfilling the statutoryobligations regarding the use of languages onsigns.

The investigation was informed that the CountyCouncil had a system in place to deal withcomplaints but that several changes had recentlybeen made in the Corporate Services Section“which resulted in a lack of continuity.” It wasasserted that this issue had now been addressed.

B’ábhar mór díomá dom marsin nach raibh gearáin óm’Oifigse á bhfreagairt agComhairle ContaeCheatharlach…

It was very disappointing thatCarlow County Council wasstill not replying tocomplaints…


Ina theannta sin, ghlac an Chomhairle Contaeleis, i bhfianaise na moille fada a bhain le freagraa chur ar fáil ar na gearáin, go raibh gá lena córasfiosraithe gearán a leasú agus a fheabhsú lena náirítear spriocanna ama a gcaithfí cloí leo ón am abhfaightear gearán go dtí go ndéantar ábhar anghearáin a réiteach agus freagra a chur ar fáil.


Chomh maith leis na comharthaí a áiríodh sanimscrúdú a cheartú nó a athrú, mhol mé nósannaimeachta leasaithe a eisiúint chuig an bhfoireannmaidir le hordú comharthaí nua agus moltaí achur faoi mo bhráid maidir leis na céimeannabreise atá beartaithe ag an gComhairle Contae,d’fhonn a dheimhniú go bhfuil na nósannaimeachta sin ar eolas ag an bhfoireann agus áleanúint acu agus go bhfuil na nósanna imeachtasin daingnithe mar ghnáthchleachtas ar fud naheagraíochta. Mhol mé freisin go gcuirfí i gcríchpé leasuithe ba ghá a dhéanamh ar an bpróiseasfiosraithe gearán chun go mbeadh córaséifeachtach i bhfeidhm faoina bhfiosrófaí agusfaoina bhfreagrófaí go críochnúil agus go sásúilaon ghearán ón Oifig seo, laistigh den spriocama sonraíodh.

Imscrúdú seolta: 4 Iúil 2019Tuarascáil eisithe: 4 Nollaig 2019

In addition, in view of the long delay in replyingto the complaints raised, the County Councilaccepted that its system for investigatingcomplaints needed to be amended and improvedto include target timeframes to be adhered tofrom the time a complaint is received until thatmatter is dealt with and a reply provided.


In addition to correcting or replacing the signsincluded in the investigation, I recommendedthat amended procedures regarding the orderingof new signs be issued to staff and thatproposals be submitted to me regarding theextra steps the County Council intends to take toconfirm that staff are aware of these proceduresand are following them and that theseprocedures are established as normal practicethroughout the organisation. I alsorecommended that the necessary amendmentsbe made to the complaints investigation processso that an efficient system is in place toinvestigate and to respond comprehensivelywithin the specified time to any complaintreceived from this Office.

Investigation launched: 4 July 2019Report issued: 4 December 2019

…ghlac an ChomhairleContae leis, i bhfianaise namoille fada a bhain le freagraa chur ar fáil ar na gearáin,go raibh gá lena córasfiosraithe gearán a leasú…

…in view of the long delay inreplying to the complaintsraised, the County Councilaccepted that its system forinvestigating complaintsneeded to be amended…


CÚLRA AN PHRÓISIS IMSCRÚDAITHE

Is croífheidhm de chuid an Choimisinéara Teangaimscrúdú a thionscnamh má mheastar gobhféadfadh sárú a bheith déanta ar aon fhoráilde chuid an Achta nó d’aon achtachán eile abhaineann le húsáid nó le stádas teanga oifigiúla.Is féidir liom imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar mothionscnamh féin, de bhun gearáin, nó ar iarratasón Aire.

Próiseas foirmiúil a bhíonn i gceist le himscrúdúina gcuirtear an mhainneachtain reachtúil ad’fhéadfadh a bheith tarlaithe i láthair anchomhlachta phoiblí. Tugtar deis don chomhlachtpoiblí a chás a chur i mo láthair agus is gá gachtaifead ábhartha a chur ar fáil dom. Tar éis doman teolas ar fad a fháil agus a mheá eisímtuarascáil imscrúdaithe chuig na páirtitheábhartha ina mbíonn fionnachtana agus moltaíatá déanta agam, más cuí sin. Is féidir le páirtí inimscrúdú, nó aon duine a ndéanann mochinneadh agus na moltaí difear dóibh,achomharc a dhéanamh ar phonc dlí chun nahArdChúirte.

Tá achoimre le fáil sa Tuarascáil seo ar nahimscrúduithe a tugadh chun críche le linn nabliana 2019. Ní mór a thuiscint, áfach, gurcuntais ghairide atá i gceist leis na hachoimríagus is sna tuarascálacha oifigiúla atá na tuairiscíúdarásacha. Tá achoimre thíos ar líon na nimscrúduithe a tionscnaíodh agus a tugadh chuncríche le linn 2019:

BACKGROUND TO INVESTIGATIONPROCESS

A key function of An Coimisinéir Teanga is toinitiate investigations if it is felt that a provisionof the Act or of any other enactment concerningthe use or status of an official language mayhave been breached. I can carry out aninvestigation on my own initiative, pursuant to acomplaint, or at the request of the Minister.

An investigation involves a formal processwhereby the possible statutory failure that mayhave occurred is presented to the public body.The public body is given the opportunity topresent its case to me and is required to provideme with all relevant records. After evaluating allthe information received, I issue an investigationreport containing findings and recommendations,if appropriate, to all the relevant parties. A partyto an investigation or any person affected by thefindings and recommendations may appeal tothe High Court on a point of law.

A summary of all the investigations completedduring 2019 is available in this Report. Howeverit should be clearly understood that thesesummaries are merely condensed accounts ofthe cases involved and that the authoritativeaccounts are contained in the official reports.The following is a summary of the number ofinvestigations initiated and completed during2019:

2018 2019

Tugtha ar aghaidh ón mbliain roimhe 3 2

Imscrúduithe seolta 8 5

Iomlán idir lámha 9 7

Tugtha ar aghaidh go dtí an chéad bhliain eile 2 2

Iomlán críochnaithe 9 5

2018 2019

Brought forward from previous year 3 2

Investigations launched 8 5

Total in hand 9 7

Brought forward to next year 2 2

Total completed 9 5


GEARÁIN

Le linn na bliana seo fuair m’Oifig 704 gearán. Isardú 11% é sin ar an líon gearán a fuarthas lelinn na bliana 2018 (638).

Is ó Chontae Bhaile Átha Cliath is mó a tháinig nagearáin ach tháinig líon suntasach freisin óChontaetha na Gaillimhe, Chill Chainnigh,Chiarraí agus Dhún na nGall. Dála na blianaanuraidh, tháinig tuairim agus an cúigiú cuiddíobh ón nGaeltacht.

Fearacht blianta roimhe seo, fuarthascomhréiteach ar chuid mhór de na gearáin arinneadh le m’Oifig tríd an gcórasneamhfhoirmiúil réitithe gearán a fheidhmíonnm’Oifig nó trí chomhairle a chur ar fáil doghearánaigh. Is mór agam an comhoibriú a fuairm’Oifig ó chomhlachtaí poiblí áirithe le déileáil lecásanna ar an mbealach sin. I gcásanna denchineál seo cuireann an comhlacht poiblí moltaísásúla os ár gcomhair chun aghaidh a thabhairt arábhar an ghearáin. Mura mbíonn aon toradhsásúil ar na hiarrachtaí seo tá sé de chumhachtagam imscrúdú foirmiúil a thionscnamh chunteacht ar fhionnachtana agus moltaí. Tá achoimrear na cásanna nár réitíodh tríd an gcórasneamhfhoirmiúil réitithe gearán agus inarcríochnaíodh imscrúduithe foirmiúla ina leith sachaibidil den Tuarascáil dar teideal “Imscrúduithe”.

Tá réimse na ngearán fairsing agus ilghnéitheach,agus bíonn an cur chuige atá de dhíth ag brathgo mór ar dhearcadh an chomhlachta phoiblí lenambaineann sé. Bíonn comhoibriú maith le fáil gohiondúil ó fhormhór na gcomhlachtaí poiblí. Tácur síos gairid anseo thíos ar shamplaí deghearáin a réitíodh trí an gcóras neamhfhoirmiúille linn na bliana le léargas a thabhairt ar an obairsin agus chun cuntas a thabhairt ar roinntcásanna ar díol spéise iad.

Bhain os cionn 90% de na gearáin le cúig réimsefaoi leith:

• forálacha i scéimeanna teanga,

• comharthaíocht agus stáiseanóireacht,

• freagraí i mBéarla ar chumarsáid i nGaeilge,

• comharthaí bóthair, agus

• fadhb le húsáid ainm agus sloinne i nGaeilge

COMPLAINTS

My Office received 704 complaints during theyear. This constituted an increase of 11% on thenumber of complaints received in 2018 (638).

The greatest number of complaints werereceived from County Dublin although asignificant amount was received from CountiesGalway, Kilkenny, Kerry and Donegal. Astranspired last year, about a fifth of thecomplaints came from the Gaeltacht.

As in previous years, my Office resolved themajority of complaints through the informalcomplaints process or through providing adviceto the complainants. I appreciate the cooperationreceived from certain public bodies in dealingwith cases in this manner. In cases such as thesethe public body makes satisfactory proposals todeal with the complaint. If our efforts do notyield a satisfactory outcome, I have the authorityto initiate a formal investigation in order to makefindings and recommendations. Summaries ofcases that were not resolved in this informalmanner and in respect of which formalinvestigations were completed are provided inthe chapter of this Report entitled“Investigations”.

The range of complaints is wide and varied andthe approach required in dealing with them oftendepends on the attitude of the public bodyconcerned. Most public bodies are cooperative.A short account is given below of examples ofcomplaints resolved through the informalprocess in order to provide an insight into theoperation of this process and into someinteresting cases.

Over 90% of the complaints related to fiveparticular areas:

• provisions contained in language schemes,

• signage and stationery,

• replies in English to correspondence in Irish,

• road signs, and

• difficulty in using names and surnames in Irish


Cuimsíonn scéimeanna teanga réimse leathangealltanas maidir le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil atátugtha ag os cionn 130 comhlacht poiblí. Níhionadh, mar sin, go mbaineann an líon is airdegearán leis an réimse seo. Is féidir lefíoriarmhairtí a bheith i gceist leis na seirbhisí andéantar gearán fúthu mar a léirítear i gcuid dena cásanna samplacha a bhfuil cuntas orthuanseo thíos – seirbhís a chur ar fáil dotheaghlaigh Ghaeltachta nó toradh iarratais archomórtas fostaíochta chun dhá shampla a lua.

Tá an tathrú aeráide go mór i mbéal an phobailar na saolta seo. D’fhéadfaí a áitiú gurb ionanngan faisnéis a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge i dtaobhbheartais an Stáit agus constaic a chur roimh annGaeilge agus lucht a labhartha páirt chuí aghlacadh i ndioscúrsa poiblí na sochaí faoimhórcheisteanna na linne.

Baineann sciar maith de na gearáin lecomharthaíocht agus stáiseanóireacht agus níhaon iontas é sin, ach an oiread, de bharr afheiceálaí is a bhíonn siad.

Tá líon agus céatadán na ngearán i dtaca lefreagraí i mBéarla ar chomhfhreagras i nGaeilgefós measartha ard i bhfianaise an fhoráil seo abheith i bhfeidhm ó 2004 agus í a bheith archeann de na forálacha is bunúsaí in Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla. Masla atá sna cásanna sindo na chomhfhreagraithe agus don roghatheanga atá déanta acu.

Bíonn deacrachtaí ag daoine a nainm agus asloinne i nGaeilge a úsáid i ngnóthaí leis an Státar fháthanna éagsúla. I ndlínse ina bhfuil dátheanga oifigiúla ba chóir go naimseofaímeicníocht a thacódh agus a shimpleodh an tslírompu siúd ar mian leo an leagan Gaeilge dá nainm a úsáid.

Baineann céatadán suntasach de na gearáin,chomh maith, le forálacha d’achtacháin eile abhaineann le stádas nó le húsáid na Gaeilge. Arndóigh, baineann na gearáin maidir le húsáid naGaeilge ar chomharthaí tráchta leis an réimse seochomh maith, ach léirítear an figiúr sin gohiondúil mar fhigiúr neamhspleách sna staitisticíanseo thíos. Is sa Lámhleabhar do ChomharthaíTráchta a leagtar síos na dualgais atá ar nahúdaráis bóithre i leith úsáid na Gaeilge archomharthaí tráchta.

Is ceart a rá nár bhain na gearáin ar fad chun nahOifige le linn na bliana le sárú ar dhualgaisreachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla,2003 ná faoi aon achtachán eile, go deimhin.

Language schemes cover a wide variety ofcommitments made by over 130 public bodies toprovide services. It is not surprising that thehighest number of complaints relate to this area.The services complained of can have very realconsequences as demonstrated in some of theexamples described below – services toGaeltacht families or the results of a competitionfor employment to mention two examples.

Climate change is a very topical issue these days.It could be argued that if information concerningthe State’s policies is not provided in Irish, anobstacle is put in the way of the full participationof the Irish language and those who speak it, inour society’s public discourse on the majorquestions of the day.

A significant number of complaints relate tosignage and stationery which is not surprising,given their visibility.

The amount and percentage of complaints thatrelate to answers in English to correspondencewritten in Irish remains significantly high whenone considers that this provision has been inplace since 2004 and is one of the most basicprovisions of the Official Languages Act. Suchincidents are offensive to the correspondentsand the language choice they have made.

People encounter difficulties in using the Irishlanguage versions of their names and addressesfor various reasons when dealing with the State.In a jurisdiction which recognises two officiallanguages, some mechanism should be found tosupport and facilitate people wishing to use theIrishlanguage version of their names.

A substantial percentage of complaints relatedalso to the provisions of other enactmentsconcerning the status or use of Irish. Of course,complaints relating to the use of Irish on roadsigns belong by right to this category, but this isgenerally provided as an independent figure inthe statistics below. The obligations on roadsauthorities in respect of road traffic signage areset out in the Traffic Signs Manual.

It should be said that not all the complaintsreceived by my Office during the years relate toinfringements of statutory obligations under theOfficial Languages Act or indeed, any other


Gearáin: Deacrachtaí agus Fadhbanna – Staitisticí Complaints: Difficulties and Problems – Statistics

2018 2019

Gearáin Complaints 328 301

Comhairle tugtha Advice given 306 403

Iomlán Total 634 704

2018 2019

n Foráil de scéim teanga (san áireamh: cártaí aitheantais, suíomhanna gréasáin agus foirmeacha)Provision of a language scheme (including identity cards, websites and forms)

35.5% 37.5%

n Easpa Gaeilge ar chomharthaíocht & stáiseanóireacht Lack of Irish on signage and stationery 29.7% 27.4%

n Easpa Gaeilge ar chomharthaí bóthair Lack of Irish on road signs 8.5% 8.9%

n Freagraí i mBéarla ar chumarsáid i nGaeilge Replies in English to correspondence in Irish 9.0% 6.7%

n Fadhb le hainm agus/nó le seoladh i nGaeilge Problem with use of name and/or address in Irish 8.0% 6.7%

nAchtacháin eile a bhaineann le stádas nó le húsáid na Gaeilge Other enactments relating to the use or status of Irish

2.7% 3.3%

n Foilsiú doiciméad áirithe Publication of certain documents 1.4% 2.8%

n Eile (cúiseanna aonair) Other (individual issues) 5.2% 6.7%

Iomlán Total 100% 100%

Céatadán na ngearán de réir cineáilPercentage of complaints by type

Gearáin le linn 2019 Complaints during 2019

Tá anailís ar na cásanna éagsúla sna staitisticí agus sna léaráidí seo a leanas:An analysis of the various cases is provided in the following statistics and illustrations:

Mar a bhí amhlaidh blianta eile, bhain cuid díobhle deacrachtaí agus fadhbanna níos ginearálta abhain le gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge nachgcuimsítear in aon dualgas reachtúil. Sna cásannasin cuirtear comhairle dá réir ar fáil donghearánach. Áirítear na cásanna sin sna 403 cásinar tugadh comhairle don phobal le linn nabliana. Is ionann iad agus 57% de na ceisteannaar fad a chuir an pobal faoi bhráid m’Oifige. Inafhianaise sin, tá sciar seirbhísí agus faisnéise abhfuil éileamh áirithe orthu as Gaeilge, agus nachbhfuil foráil déanta dá soláthar go fóill.

enactment. As transpired in other years, some ofthese related to difficulties of a more generalnature when conducting business through Irishthat are not covered by any statutory provision.In these cases, the complainant is advisedaccordingly. These cases are included in the 403cases in which advice was given to the publicduring the year. This constitutes 57% of all thequestions submitted to my Office by the public.This indicates that there is certain demand for arange services and information in Irish that is notprovided for.


Gearáin: An Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht Complaints: Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht

2018 2019

nAn GhaeltachtGaeltacht

20% 18%

nLasmuigh den GhaeltachtNon-Gaeltacht

80% 82%


2018 2019

nBaile Átha CliathDublin

32.8% 35.3%

nGaillimhGalway

13.4% 15.3%

nCill ChainnighKilkenny

16.5% 8.9%

nCiarraíKerry

4.4% 4.2%

nDún na nGallDonegal

3.1% 4.1%

nCorcaighCork

3.1% 3.5%

nLiatroimLeitrim

2.3% 3.2%

nCill MhantáinWicklow

2.6% 2.5%

nCill DaraKildare

1.4% 2.5%

nAn MhíMeath

4.1% 1.7%

nAn ClárClare

1.4% 1.4%

Lasmuigh den dlínseOutside the jurisdiction

1.0% 1.2%

EileOther

13.9% 16.2%


Gearáin de réir contae Complaints by county


Gearáin de réir cineál comhlachta phoiblí Complaints by type of public body

2018 2019

nRanna & oifigí rialtaisGovernment departments & offices

18.5% 13.2%

nÚdaráis áitiúlaLocal authorities

36.0% 34.9%

nÚdaráis sláinteHealth authorities

3.0% 3.9%

nÚdaráis oideachaisEducation authorities

3.0% 10.9%

nEagraíochtaí eile stáitOther state organisations

39.5% 37.1%


Samplaí de Ghearáin aFiosraíodh in 2019

BOIRD OIDEACHAIS AGUS OILIÚNA

Fuair gearánach freagra i mBéarlaó dhá cheann déag de BhoirdOideachais agus Oiliúna na tíre arlitreacha i nGaeilge uaidh.D’fhiosraigh m’Oifig an gearánseo leis na Boird a bhí i gceist

agus bhí freagra faighte ó naoi gcinn díobh faoidheireadh na bliana 2019. Sna freagraí a fuarthasuathu, ghlac na Boird leithscéal as ar tharla,mhínigh siad gur earráid nó botún riaracháin faoideara nár cloíodh leis an dualgas reachtúil agusthug siad le fios go raibh céimeanna á nglacadhacu chun an dualgas sin a chur i gcuimhne dábhfoireann.

Cheapfaí go dtabharfaí freagra i nGaeilge ar litir inGaeilge mar ghnáthchúirtéis, gan beann ar aondualgas reachtúil, ach tá dualgas reachtúil anncumarsáid i scríbhinn a fhreagairt sa teangaoifigiúil chéanna ina bhfuarthas í, agus bhí andualgas sin i bhfeidhm sular bunaíodh na BoirdOideachais agus Oiliúna. Is ábhar imní agusdíomá go dteipfeadh chomh fairsing sin ar earnáiliomlán dualgas bunúsach de chuid an Achta achomhlíonadh. Is dealraitheach nár tugadh aird adóthain ar an dualgas sin i gcleachtais riaracháinna neagraíochtaí.

Examples of ComplaintsExamined in 2019

EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARDS

A complainant received replies inEnglish from twelve Educationand Training Boards to letterssent in Irish. My Officeinvestigated this complaint withthe Boards in question and had

received replies from nine of them by the end of2019. In the replies received, the Boardsapologised for what had happened, theyexplained that an administrative error oroversight was responsible for not adhering to thestatutory obligation and they indicated that stepswere being taken to remind staff of thisobligation.

One would imagine that a letter written in Irishwould be replied to in Irish as a commoncourtesy, regardless of any statutory obligation,however there is a statutory obligation to replyto a written communication in the same officiallanguage in which it was received and thisobligation was in place before the Education andTraining Boards were established. That an entiresector should so widely fail to fulfil such a basicobligation under the Act is a matter of concernand disappointment. It appears that thisobligation was not sufficiently addressed in theadministrative practices of these organisations.

FEIDHMEANNACHT NA SEIRBHÍSESLÁINTE

Rinne beirt tuismitheoirí ón nGaeltacht gearánliom nach raibh seirbhís ar fáil as Gaeilgedóibhsean ná dá bpáistí óga ó Fheidhmeannachtna Seirbhíse Sláinte nuair a thug siad a bpáistíchuig clinic imdhíonta MMR a reáchtáladh in IonadLeighis i gceantar láidir Gaeltachta in iarthar na tíre.

Ba chainteoirí dúchais iad na tuismitheoirí agus abpáistí óga araon ach nuair a tháinig siad go dtían clinic, bhí sé á reáchtáil i mBéarla agus ní raibhan fhoireann a bhí i mbun an ghnó in ann plé leoi nGaeilge.

Daingníodh Scéim Teanga faoin Acht i gcásFheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte in 2005 iréigiún an Iarthair. Tugadh gealltanas sa scéim gondéanfaí gach iarracht seirbhísí sláinte a chur arfáil sa teanga oifigiúil is ansa leis an othar agus gombunófaí córais le cinntiú go mbeadh teaghlaighatá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge in ann teacht arscrúduithe agus tástálacha éagsúla trí Ghaeilge.

I bhfreagra na Feidhmeannachta, glacadh leithscéalas ar tharla. Tugadh le fios go raibh dúshláin agbaint le baill foirne a chur ar fáil don Ghaeltacht araibh Gaeilge acu, ach tugadh le fios go raibh treoirtugtha do na bainisteoirí cuí a chinntiú go gcuirtearbaill foirne le Gaeilge ar fáil nuair atá gá leo chunseirbhísí sláinte a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Inatheannta sin, cuireadh in iúl go nullmhófaí agus gobhfeidhmeofaí plean do na seirbhísí bunchúraim inGaillimh a chinnteodh go bhfaigheadh cainteoiríGaeilge seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge.

Léirítear go suntasach san eachtra seo anriachtanas bonn reachtúil a chur faoi sholátharseirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht –riachtanas ar thagair mé dó i réamhrá natuarascála seo. Tá inmharthanacht na Gaeilgemar theanga phobail ag brath ar an líon róbheagtuismitheoirí a chuireann an dua agus an dúshlánorthu féin a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge – níorchóir don Stát féin a bheith ag cur leis naconstaicí iomadúla atá ina mbealach.

HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE

Two parents from the Gaeltacht complained tome that a service in the Irish language was notavailable to either themselves or their youngchildren from the Health Service Executive whenthey brought their children to an MMRvaccination clinic run in a Health Centre in astrong Gaeltacht area in the west of Ireland.

Both the parents and the young children werenative Irish speakers but when they arrived atthe clinic, it was being run through English andthe staff involved were unable to deal with themthrough Irish.

A Language Scheme under the Act wasconfirmed in 2005 for the Health ServiceExecutive for the Western region. A commitmentwas made in this scheme to make every effort toprovide health services in the official languagepreferred by the patient and that a system wouldbe established to ensure that families rearingtheir children through Irish could avail of variousexaminations and tests in Irish.

In its reply, the HSE apologised for the incident.It explained that providing staff for the Gaeltachtwith a competency in Irish presented challenges,however a direction had been given to therelevant managers to ensure that staff with Irishwere made available when required to providehealth services through Irish. In addition, theHSE informed us that a plan would be preparedand implemented in the primary care services inGalway to ensure that Irish speakers wouldreceive services in Irish.

This incident vividly demonstrates the need thatI referred to in my introduction to this report, toput the provision of public services through Irishin the Gaeltacht on a statutory footing. Thesurvival of Irish as a living community languagedepends on the small number parents who takeupon themselves the trouble and challenge ofrearing their children as Irish speakers – theState itself should not add to the manydifficulties they face.



AN ROINN CUMARSÁIDE,GNÍOMHAITHE AR SON NA HAERÁIDEAGUS COMHSHAOIL

Níorbh fhéidir le gearánach teacht arleagan Gaeilge de Plean Gnímh don Aeráid,2019 a d’fhoilsigh an Roinn Cumarsáide,Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agusComhshaoil.

Sa Scéim Teanga a daingníodh i gcás naRoinne in 2018, tugadh an gealltanas gogcuirfí ar fáil go dátheangach “Ráitis nóathbhreithnithe móra ar bheartais inearnálacha na cumarsáide, craoltóireachta,poist, fuinnimh, gníomhaithe ar son nahaeráide, comhshaoil agus acmhainnínádúrtha.”

Is ar an mbonn sin a tharraing m’Oifig an cheistseo anuas leis an Roinn. Mhínigh an Roinn nárcuireadh leagan Gaeilge den doiciméad ar fáil ara suíomh gréasáin ag an am céanna leis an leaganBéarla toisc go raibh athruithe á ndéanamh ar anleagan Béarla díreach go dtí an pointe arfoilsíodh é. Cuireadh ar a súile don Roinn goraibh roinnt míonna ann ó foilsíodh an leaganBéarla. Cuireadh leagan Gaeilge den Phlean arfáil agus glacadh leis go gcaithfí na ráitis nó nahathbhreithnithe ar tagraíodh dóibh saghealltanas sa Scéim Teanga a fhoilsiú i nGaeilgeagus i mBéarla ag an am céanna.

AN POST

Bhí lipéad de chuid an Phoistgreamaithe de chlúdach litreach aseachadadh chuig gearánach inar

tugadh le fios go raibh an seoladh “mícheart”. Isamhlaidh a bhí an seoladh scríofa i nGaeilge ar angclúdach sin agus tugadh le fios sa lipéad agreamaíodh de gurbh é an leagan Béarla denseoladh an leagan cruinn. Ghoill sé ar anngearánach go rabhthas ag tabhairt le fios nachraibh na leaganacha Gaeilge de nalogainmneacha cruinn agus nár chóir iad a úsáid.

Tá geallta ag an bPost ina Scéim Teanga faoinAcht gurb é aidhm na heagraíochta gobhfaigheadh postas ar a bhfuil seoladh i nGaeilgean leibhéal céanna seirbhíse agus a gheobhadhpostas ar a bhfuil seoladh Béarla.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS,CLIMATE ACTION AND ENVIRONMENT

A complainant was unable to obtain anIrishlanguage version of the ClimateAction Plan 2019 published by theDepartment of Communications, ClimateAction and Environment.

In the Language Scheme confirmed forthe Department in 2018, a commitmentwas given to publish bilingually “Majorpolicy statements or reviews in thecommunications, broadcasting, postal,energy, climate action, environment andnatural resources sectors.”

It was in this context that my Office raised thequestion with the Department. The Departmentexplained that an Irishlanguage version had notbeen provided on its website at the same time asthe Englishlanguage version becauseamendments were being made to the Englishversion right up to the time it was published. Itwas pointed out to the Department, however,that several months had passed since thepublication of the Englishlanguage version. AnIrishlanguage version was provided and it wasaccepted that the major statements or reviewsreferred to in the commitment made in theLanguage Scheme should be published both inIrish and in English at the same time.

AN POST

A label from An Post indicating thatthe address was “incorrect” wasattached to the envelope of a letter

delivered to a complainant. The address on theenvelope was written in Irish and the labelindicated that the Englishlanguage version ofthe address was the correct version. Thecomplainant was aggrieved that it had beenindicated that the Irish versions of theplacenames were incorrect and that they shouldnot be used.

In its Language Scheme under the Act, An Postaffirmed the organisation’s aim that postaddressed in Irish should receive that same levelof service as post addressed in English.

PLEAN GNÍMH DON

AERÁID 2019

Chun dul i ngleic le Cliseadh na hAeráide


Nuair a d’fhiosraigh m’Oifig an cheist leis anbPost, mhínigh An Post nár cheart go ngreamófaían lipéad den litir ná go dtabharfaí le fios gurbiad na logainmneacha Béarla amháin naleaganacha cruinne. Ní raibh sé seo de réirnósanna oibriúcháin caighdeánacha naheagraíochta. Glacadh leithscéal leis anngearánach agus meabhraíodh d’fhoireann nahoifige áitiúla seachadta agus d’fhoireann na noifigí seachadta go léir na nósanna oibriúcháin isgá a leanúint maidir le litreacha a bhfuil seoladh inGaeilge orthu.

BORD OIDEACHAIS AGUS OILIÚNA NAGAILLIMHE AGUS ROS COMÁIN

Rinne duine gearán liom maidirleis an leagan Gaeilge d’fhoirmiarratais do phoistmhúinteoireachta a chuir BordOideachais agus Oiliúna naGaillimhe agus Ros Comáin ar fáildo chomórtas earcaíochta.

Níorbh ionann cuid de na hinniúlachtaí ar iarradhar iarratasóirí eolas a chur ar fáil fúthu sa leaganGaeilge den fhoirm agus iad sin a bhí sa leaganBéarla. Bhí an gearánach den tuairim dándéanfadh iarratasóir leagan Gaeilge den fhoirma chomhlánú, nach mbeadh an teolas a bhícurtha ar fáil aige/aici ag freagairt in aon chor dona hinniúlachtaí a sonraíodh sa bhunleaganBéarla den fhoirm agus gur dóiche go bhfágfadhsin an tiarratasóir a chomhlánaigh an leaganGaeilge den fhoirm faoi mhíbhuntáiste mór.

Nuair a tharraing m’Oifig an gearán seo anuasleis an mBord, chuir sé leagan leasaithe denfhoirm Ghaeilge ar fáil agus ghabh sé leithscéalas an míchaoithiúlacht a chruthaigh an earráidriaracháin seo.

Is léiriú é seo ar a thábhachtaí agus atá sé gondéanfadh comhlachtaí poiblí cúram cuí decháipéisí atá á naistriú lena gcur ar fáil donphobal ionas nach gcruthaítear deacrachtaí ganghá do dhaoine a bhaineann úsáid astu.

When my Office investigated the matter with AnPost, An Post explained that the label should nothave been attached to the letter nor should ithave been indicated that only the Englishversions of the placenames were correct. Theseactions were not in accord with the operationalstandards of the organisation. It apologised tothe complainant and the staff of the localdelivery office and the staff of all its deliveryoffices were reminded of the operationalprocedures to be followed in delivering lettersaddressed in Irish.

GALWAY AND ROSCOMMONEDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD

A member of the public made acomplaint concerning the Irishlanguage version of anapplication form for teachingposts provided by the Galwayand Roscommon Education andTraining Board in a recruitmentcompetition.

The competencies that the applicant wasrequired to demonstrate were not the same inthe Irishlanguage version of the form as in theEnglishlanguage version. The complainant wasof the opinion that if an applicant filled in theIrish version of the form, the informationprovided by him/her would not correspond at allto the competencies specified in the originalEnglish version of the form and would probablyput the applicant who filled in the Irish version ata great disadvantage.

When my Office raised this complaint with theBoard, it provided an amended version of theIrishlanguage form and apologised for theinconvenience this administrative error hadcaused.

This illustrates the importance of takingadequate care when public bodies havedocuments translated to make them available tothe public, so that unnecessary difficulties areavoided for people using them.


AN ROINN LEANAÍ AGUS GNÓTHAÍ ÓIGE

D’fhoilsigh an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí ÓigeDréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta FeighlíochtaLeanaí i mí Aibreáin chun críche comhairliúchánpoiblí. Nuair nárbh fhéidir le duine den phobalteacht ar leagan Gaeilge den Dréachtphlean,rinne sé gearán liom faoi.

Faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, ní mór aondoiciméad ina bhfuil tograí nó moltaí ó thaobhbeartas poiblí a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach inGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Chonacthas dúinn goraibh tograí beartais phoiblí sa doiciméad seoagus tharraingíomar an gearán anuas leis anRoinn ar an mbonn sin.

Ghlac an Roinn leis gur chóir go bhfoilseofaí anDréachtphlean féin go comhuaineach sa dátheanga agus nár tharla sin. Ina ionad sin,d’fhoilsigh an Roinn leagan achoimremhínitheach i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla agus chuirsí an ceistneoir ar líne sa dá theanga. Dáinmholta an méid sin a chur ar fáil sa dá theanganí shásaítear an fhoráil reachtúil leis.

I ndiaidh don Oifig seo dul i dteagmháil leis anRoinn, d’fhoilsigh sí leagan Gaeilge denDréachtphlean agus cuireadh síneadh leis antréimhse ina bhféadfadh an pobal aighneachtaí adhéanamh.

Cuireadh ina luí ar an Roinn, áfach, nach féidirneamhaird a dhéanamh den dualgas reachtúildoiciméad den chineál seo a fhoilsiú gocomhuaineach i ngach ceann de na teangachaoifigiúla agus gur gá é sin a chinntiú amach anseo.

COMHAIRLE CONTAE NA GAILLIMHE

Rinneadh gearán le m’Oifig i dtaca leis nacomharthaí moillithe luais a chuir ComhairleContae na Gaillimhe in airde ar an gCeathrú Ruaagus ar an Spidéal i gceantar Gaeltachta naGaillimhe. Ba chomharthaí teachtaireachtainathraithe (VMS) iadsan ar ar taispeánadhteachtaireachtaí i mBéarla amháin agus bhí angearánach míshásta go gcuirfí a leithéid ar fáil igceantar Gaeltachta.

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN ANDYOUTH AFFAIRS

The Department of Children and Youth Affairspublished a Draft Childminding Action Plan inApril for public consultation. When a person wasunable to obtain an Irishlanguage version of theDraft Plan, he made a complaint to me.

Under the Official Languages Act any documentcontaining public policy proposals must bepublished simultaneously in both the Irish andEnglish languages. It appeared to us that thedocument did contain public policy proposalsand the matter was raised with the Departmenton this basis.

The Department conceded that the Draft Planshould have been published simultaneously inboth languages and that this had not happened.Instead, the Department had published anabridged explanatory version in Irish and inEnglish and provided the online questionnairein both languages. While the provision of thesewas laudable it does not fulfil the statutoryprovision.

After my Office contacted the Department,however, it published an Irishlanguage versionof the Draft Plan and the period during whichthe public could make submissions wasextended.

It was emphasised to the Department, however,that the statutory requirement to publish such adocument simultaneously in both officiallanguages cannot be ignored and must beadhered to in future.

GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL

A complaint was received concerning speedsigns erected by Galway County Council in AnCheathrú Rua and An Spidéal in the GalwayGaeltacht area. These were variable messagesigns (VMS) that displayed messages in Englishonly and the complainant was dissatisfied thatsuch signs should be erected in a Gaeltacht area.


Tá na ceanglais reachtúla maidir húsáidteangacha ar chomharthaí tráchta sonraithe saLámhleabhar do Chomharthaí Tráchta a fhoilsíonnan Roinn Iompair. Mínítear sa Lámhleabhar, cénach féidir téacs i nGaeilge a bheith san áireamhi gcónaí ar VMS, gur chóir go mbeadh an téacs inGaeilge ar aon cheann de na comharthaí sin achuirtear in airde sa Ghaeltacht.

Tar éis do m’Oifig an scéal a fhiosrú leis angComhairle Contae chuir sí in iúl go raibh antéacs Béarla mar réamhshocrú ar na comharthaínua a cuireadh in airde. Leasaíodh na comharthaíseo ionas nach mbeadh aon téacs i bhfocail áthaispeáint orthu ach luas na feithicle amháin agusfeidhm á baint as dath uaine nó dearg chun a churin iúl an rabhthas ag cloí leis an teorainn luais.

AN ROINN OIDEACHAIS AGUSSCILEANNA

Rinneadh gearán nach raibh fáil ar leaganGaeilge den chlár Walk Tall nó Misneachar chuid é den churaclam oideachaisshóisialta phearsanta agus sláinte dobhunscoileanna agus gur chruthaigh sésin deacrachtaí do bhunscoileanna abhíonn ag teagasc trí Ghaeilge.

De réir alt 7(2)(d) den Acht Oideachais,1998, is feidhm de chuid an AireOideachais agus Scileanna seirbhísí tacatrí Ghaeilge a sholáthar do scoileanna aitheanta achuireann teagasc trí Ghaeilge ar fáil agus d’aonscoil aitheanta eile a iarrann soláthar den sórt sin.Is ar an mbonn sin a rinne m’Oifig teagmháil leisan Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna faoin gceist.

Ghlac an Roinn leis go raibh moill ar an leaganGaeilge de Walk Tall de bharr easpa saineolais aran nGaeilge sa tSeirbhís um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúildo Mhúinteoirí. Bhí socruithe déanta, áfach,chun aistriúcháin a chur á ndéanamh agus chungo nuaslódálfaí na leaganacha Gaeilge de naleabhair ar shuíomh gréasáin na Seirbhíse aluaithe agus a bheidís ar fáil.

The statutory requirements regarding the use oflanguages on traffic signs are specified in theTraffic Signs Manual published by the Departmentof Transport. It is explained in the Manual thatwhile it may not be possible to include an Irishlanguage text on a VMS, that the text in Irishmust be included on any such signs erected inthe Gaeltacht.

When my Office raised the matter with theCounty Council, it explained that the text inEnglish was a default setting on the new signserected. The signs were amended so that no textin words were displayed, only the speed of thevehicle, and use was made of green and redcolours to indicate if the speed limit was beingadhered to.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANDSKILLS

A complaint was received that no Irishlanguage version of the programmeWalk Tall or Misneach, which forms partof the curriculum for personal, socialand health education curriculum forprimary schools, was available and thatthis had created difficulties for schoolsteaching through Irish.

According to section 7(2)(d) of theEducation Act 1998, it is a function of

the Minister for Education and Skills to providesupport services through Irish to schools thatteach through Irish and to any other schoolrequiring them. It was on this basis that myOffice contacted the Department of Educationand Skills.

The Department accepted that there was a delayin providing the Irish version of Walk Tall due to alack of expertise in Irish in the ProfessionalDevelopment Service for Teachers.Arrangements had however been made to havetranslations made and that the Irishlanguageversions would be uploaded onto the Service’swebsite as soon they were available.


OIFIG NA gCOIMISINÉIRÍ IONCAIM

Rinneadh gearán leis an Oifig seo maidir ledoiciméad a d’eisigh oifigigh Chustaim chuiggnólacht sa Ghaeltacht le linn cuairt chun ancheantair. Ghoill sé ar an ngearánach gur imBéarla amháin a bhí an doiciméad, cé gurbh ían Ghaeilge gnáththeanga an ghnólachta agusan cheantair.

Ní fhacthas do m’Oifig gur sáraíodh aon dualgasreachtúil teanga tríd an doiciméad a eisiúint, marsin féin, cuireadh in iúl d’Oifig na gCoimisinéiríIoncaim go bhfuarthas an gearán agus iarradh aran Oifig sin a beartas a shoiléiriú maidir leheisiúint na ndoiciméad a bhí i gceist.

Mhínigh Oifig na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim go raibháis ar fáil do cháiníocóirí, pé acu daoine aonair nógnólachtaí, lena rogha teanga a chur ar taifeadagus go neiseofaí feasta doiciméid aguscomhfhreagras i nGaeilge chucu ach an rogha sina bheith curtha in iúl acu. D’fhéadfadh angnólacht teagmháil a dhéanamh léi chun a roghaa chur ar taifead dá mba mhian leis an ngnólachtgo ndéileálfaí leis i nGaeilge.

Chuir Oifig na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim in iúl freisingo natheiseofaí an doiciméad chuig anngnólacht i nGaeilge agus go ndéanfaí deimhinde go raibh leaganacha Gaeilge ar fáil de nadoiciméid Custam agus Mháil is minice aúsáidtear chun freastal ar chustaiméirí ar mianleo a ngnó a dhéanamh as Gaeilge.

OFFICE OF THE REVENUECOMMISSIONERS

A complaint was made to this Office concerninga document issued by Customs officers to acompany situated in the Gaeltacht while visitingthe area in question. The complainant feltaggrieved that this document was in English onlyalthough Irish was the normal language of thecompany and the area.

It did not appear to my Office that any statutorylanguage obligation had been infringed by issuingthis document, nonetheless the Office of theRevenue Commissioners was informed that thecomplaint had been received and requested toclarify its policy concerning the issuing of thedocuments in question.

The Office of the Revenue Commissionersexplained that a facility was available totaxpayers, whether individuals or companies, toregister their language preference and thatdocuments and correspondence would be sentto them in Irish as soon as they register thatpreference. The company in question waswelcome to register that preference if it wishedto be dealt with in Irish.

The Office of the Revenue Commisssioners alsoinformed my Office that the document would bereissued to the company in Irish and that itwould ensure that Irishlanguage versions of themost commonly used Customs and Excisedocuments were available to provide a service tocustomers wishing to conduct their business inIrish.

An Coimisinéir Teanga, Cathaoirleach,Fóram Ombudsman na hÉireann, ag

seoladh an leabhráin ‘OifigíOmbudsman in Éirinn’

An Coimisinéir Teanga, Chairman, IrishOmbudsman Forum, at the launch of the

booklet ‘Ombudsman Offices in Ireland’


FAIREACHÁN

Áirítear ar cheann d’fheidhmeanna anChoimisinéara Teanga faireachán a dhéanamh archur i bhfeidhm fhorálacha Acht na dTeangachaOifigiúla, 2003. Leanadh i mbliana leis an múnlanua faireacháin ar cuireadh tús leis le linn nabliana 2018, inar leagadh tuilleadh béime ar obairiniúchta a bhí bunaithe ar théamaí éagsúla.Fearacht na bliana anuraidh, cuireadh sanáireamh meascán de scéimeanna teanga,rialacháin agus dualgais dhíreacha faoin Achtseachas faireachán bunaithe go príomha arscéimeanna teanga. Is ar fhorálacha Acht nadTeangacha Oifigiúla amháin a díríodh san obairfaireacháin ó tharla nach bhfuil aon chumhachtagam faireachán a dhéanamh ar fhorálacha inaon achtachán eile a bhaineann le húsáid nó lestádas teanga oifigiúla.

An príomhchuspóir a bhí leis an obair faireacháinseo ná measúnú a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhmna ndualgas teanga a bhain le gach réimse ascrúdaíodh. Ullmhaíodh plean iniúchta donbhliain inar cuimsíodh réimse leathan dualgasreachtúil a bhaineann le gnéithe éagsúla denAcht, idir (i) dhualgais dhíreacha (cumarsáidscríofa agus foilseacháin), (ii) dhualgais faoi naRialacháin i dtaca le stáiseanóireacht,comharthaíocht agus fógairtí taifeadta béil, agus(iii) dualgais faoi na scéimeanna teanga atádaingnithe ag an Aire. Is ar na réimsí oibre seo aleanas a díríodh an chuid is mó d’obairfaireacháin na bliana:

• Faireachán ar chur i bhfeidhm mholtaíimscrúduithe

• Faireachán ar chur i bhfeidhm gealltanasscéime teanga i dtaca leis an nGaeltacht

• Iniúchadh ar úsáid na dteangacha oifigiúla archomharthaíocht ag suíomhanna oidhreachtade chuid Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí

• Iniúchadh ar úsáid na Gaeilge i gcóraisríomhaireachta na gCoimisinéirí Ioncaim

• Faireachán ar shuíomhanna gréasáin agus archórais idirghníomhacha de chuid na núdarásáitiúil

• Faireachán ar chur i bhfeidhm dhualgaisdhíreacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003agus forálacha scéime teanga i gcás na mBordOideachais agus Oiliúna

MONITORING

The functions of An Coimisinéir Teanga includemonitoring the implementation of the provisionsof the Official Languages Act 2003. The newmonitoring procedure, commenced in 2018,placing greater emphasis on audit work based ondifferent themes, was continued this year. Similarto last year, the system incorporated acombination of language schemes, regulationsand direct provisions of the Act, rather thanmonitoring based primarily on languageschemes. The monitoring work focused only onthe provisions of the Official Languages Act, as Idon’t have the powers to monitor theimplementation of the provisions of any otherenactment relating to the use or status of theIrish language.

The primary objective of this monitoring workwas to evaluate the implementation of thelanguage obligations in each area examined. Anaudit plan for the year was prepared,incorporating a wide range of statutoryobligations concerning various aspects of theAct, including (i) direct provisions (writtencommunications and publications), (ii) obligationsarising from the Regulations in respect ofsignage, stationery and recorded oralannouncements, and (iii) obligations under thelanguage schemes which have been confirmedby the Minister. Most of the year’s audit workfocused on the following areas:

• Monitoring the implementation ofrecommendations, made in investigations

• Monitoring the implementation of languagescheme commitments in relation to theGaeltacht

• An audit of the use of the official languages onsignage at heritage sites of the Office of PublicWorks

• An audit of the use of Irish in the computersystems of the Revenue Commissioners

• Monitoring of the websites and interactiveservices of local authorities

• Monitoring of the implementation of the directprovisions of the Official Languages Act 2003and the provisions of the language schemes inthe case of the Education and Training Boards


• Iniúchadh ar úsáid na dteangacha oifigiúla archomharthaíocht ag ollscoileanna a thagannfaoi scáth Ollscoil na hÉireann

Mar a bhí amhlaidh anuraidh, tá sé i gceist agamtuarascáil faireacháin a fhoilsiú ina dtabharfarléargas níos iomláine ar an obair iniúchta acuireadh i gcrích agus ar phríomhthorthaí na niniúchtaí sin.

Faireachán ar chur i bhfeidhm moltaíimscrúdaithe

Faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, tá sé dechúram ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga tuarascáil achur faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas máfheictear dó nó di nach bhfuil comhlacht poiblíag cur moltaí a rinne sé nó sí i dtuarascáilimscrúdaithe i ngníomh, i ndiaidh do thréimhseréasúnach ama a bheith caite. Is í seo an chéimdheireanach atá ar fáil dom faoin Acht nuair nachgcloíonn comhlacht poiblí leis na moltaí adhéantar i dtuarascáil imscrúdaithe. Le linn nabliana 2019 scrúdaigh m’Oifig an bealach arcuireadh moltaí i seacht dtuarascáil imscrúdaithei bhfeidhm. Seo iad na himscrúduithe ar tugadhcuntas orthu sa Tuarascáil Bhliantúil anuraidh. Tácuntas gearr tugtha anois ar thorthaí nabhfiosrúchán sin sa tuarascáil seo agus cuirfeartuilleadh sonraí ar fáil sa tuarascáil faireacháin afhoilseofar níos déanaí i mbliana.

• An audit of the use of the official languages onsigns at universities which come under theauspices of the National University of Ireland

As happened last year, I intend publishing amonitoring report to provide a detailed insightinto the completed monitoring work and themain results obtained.

Monitoring the implementation ofrecommendations in investigations

Under the Official Languages Act, it is theresponsibility of An Coimisinéir Teanga to submita report to both Houses of the Oireachtas if heor she is of the opinion that therecommendations of an investigation are notbeing implemented by a public body, after areasonable period of time has elapsed. This is thefinal step available to me under the Act when apublic body does not comply with therecommendations made in an investigationreport. During 2019 my Office examined theway the recommendations made in seveninvestigation reports were implemented. Theseare the investigations reported on in last year’sAnnual Report. A short account of the results ofthe audits is provided in this report and a moredetailed account will be provided in themonitoring report to be published later this year.

1. Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Léirigh imscrúdú gur sháraighRTÉ forálacha teanga denAcht Craolacháin, 2009.Leagtar dualgas san Acht arRTÉ réimse cuimsitheach clára chur ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla igclársceidil a chuid seirbhísí craolacháin chomhmaith le cláir nuachta agus cúrsaí reatha a chur arfáil sa dá theanga oifigiúla. B’fhionnachtain dechuid an imscrúdaithe nach raibh RTÉ agcomhlíonadh an dualgais a bhí air chomh fadaagus a bhain sé leis na seirbhísí craolacháinteilifíse. Ba é an príomhmholadh a rinne mé sanimscrúdú go gcuirfeadh RTÉ plean feidhmithefaoi mo bhráid a d’fhreagródh do chomhlíonadhna ndualgas reachtúil teanga a thagann i gceist.

Le linn na bliana chuir RTÉ plean feidhmithe faoimo bhráid ar lorg mé tuilleadh soiléirithe inathaobh agus a pléadh ag cruinniú le hoifigigh

1. Raidió Teilifís Éireann

An investigation found thatRTÉ breached languageprovisions of theBroadcasting Act 2009. TheAct requires RTÉ to provide acomprehensive range of programmes in the Irishand English languages in the programmeschedule of its broadcasting services and also toprovide news and current affairs programmes inboth official languages. The investigation foundthat RTÉ was not fulfilling its obligation insofar asit related to its television broadcasting services.The main recommendation made in theinvestigation required RTÉ to provide me with animplementation plan setting out how therelevant language requirements would becomplied with.

During the year RTÉ provided me with animplementation plan on which I requestedfurther clarification and was discussed at a


shinsearacha de chuid RTÉ. Léiríodh sa phleanfeidhmithe go raibh méadú mór beartaithe agRTÉ ar líon na nuaireanta craolacháin i nGaeilgei réimsí na gclár nuachta agus na gclár do pháistígo príomha don bhliain 2020. Ina iomláine tábeartaithe ag an stáisiún ceithre oiread cláirGhaeilge theilifíse a chraoladh sa bhliain 2020 isa craoladh in 2017, an bhliain thagartha aúsáideadh le linn an imscrúdaithe. Tá sébeartaithe freisin tuilleadh clár a chraoltar ar TG4a chraoladh ar RTÉ mar aon le Rannóg na gClárGaeilge a bheith ar ais i mbun obairlánaimseartha.

In ainneoin go bhfuil méadú suntasachbeartaithe ar líon na nuaireanta an chloig dechláir Ghaeilge a chraolfar ar chainéil teilifíse anstáisiúin, bhí mé den tuairim nach bhféadfaí adhearbhú ag an tráth seo go mbeadh réimsecuimsitheach clár ar fáil i nGaeilge. D’fhéadfaí sina bhaint amach san am atá le teacht, áfach, achleanúint leis an dul chun cinn. Tá an méid seocurtha in iúl do RTÉ agus é beartaithe agamathbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an dul chun cinnfaoi lár na bliana 2020.

meeting with senior officials from RTÉ. Theimplementation plan indicated that RTÉ planneda significant increase in the number of Irishlanguage broadcasting hours, primarily in thearea of news programmes and children’sprogrammes for 2020. In total the station plansto broadcast four times as many televisionprogrammes in Irish in 2020 as it did in 2017,the baseline year referenced during theinvestigation. It is also planned to broadcastmore of TG4’s programmes on RTÉ along withthe Irish Language Programmes Sectionreturning to a fulltime schedule.

Despite the substantial increase planned in thenumber of hours of Irish medium languageprogrammes to be broadcast on the station’stelevision channels, I was of the view that it wasnot possible to confirm, at this stage, that acomprehensive range of programmes would beavailable in the Irish language. That could,however, be achieved in the future if progress ismaintained. RTÉ has been informed of this and Iintend reviewing progress by mid2020.

2. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara

In imscrúdú arinne mé ar anRoinnTalmhaíochta, Biaagus Mara chinn mé go raibh sárú déanta armhíreanna dá scéim teanga tar éis don Roinnpoist d’oibrithe ginearálta a fhógairt do chalafoirtGhaeltachta gan aon riachtanas Gaeilge a bheithluaite leis na poist sin. Tar éis dúinn faireachán adhéanamh ar chomhlíonadh mholtaí animscrúduithe tá mé sásta go bhfuil socruithedéanta ag an Roinn a laghdódh an baol godtarlódh a leithéid arís. Ghlac an Roinn leis goraibh dualgas uirthi riachtanas teanga a chur lepoist den chineál seo agus sa bhreis air sin gondéanfar tástáil ar inniúlacht Gaeilge iarrthóirí arphoist sa Ghaeltacht feasta.

2. Department of Agriculture, Food and theMarine

In aninvestigation Iconducted on theDepartment ofAgriculture, Food and the Marine I found thatprovisions of its language scheme were breachedafter it advertised posts for general workers atGaeltacht ports, without specifying arequirement for proficiency in the Irish languagefor those posts. After monitoring theimplementation of the recommendations of theinvestigation I am satisfied that the Departmenthas arrangements in place to reduce the risk ofthis reoccurring. The Department accepted thatthere was an obligation to attach a languagecondition to such posts and will in future testapplicants’ competency in the Irish language forpositions located in the Gaeltacht.


3. Comhlacht Chalafort Bhaile Átha Cliath

Bhain an timscrúdúseo le comharthasuntasach i mBéarlaamháin a bhí curtha inairde ag ComhlachtChalafort Bhaile ÁthaCliath ar Bhóthar anPhoirt Thoir ar an tslíisteach chuig angcalafort. Rinne méfionnachtain go mbachomhartha chuncríocha na rialachán éan struchtúr a bhícurtha in airde ag angComhlacht Calafoirtagus dá réir go raibh dlite an comhartha a bheithcurtha ar fáil i nGaeilge chomh maith.

Mar chuid den fhaireachán atá déanta againn archomhlíonadh mholtaí an imscrúdaithe cuireadhfianaise ar fáil dúinn go bhfuil céimeanna ánglacadh ag an gComhlacht Calafoirt chuncomhartha i nGaeilge a chur in airde ag angcalafort. Chuir sé aighneacht réamhphleanálafaoi bhráid Rannóg Pleanála ChomhairleCathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath i leith anchomhartha sin ar an 30 Bealtaine 2019.

3. Dublin Port Company

This investigationinvolved a significantsign, in English only,erected by Dublin PortCompany on the EastWall Road at theentrance to the port. Ifound that thestructure erected bythe Port Company wasa sign for the purposesof the regulations andtherefore provision ofthe sign in Irish wasalso required.

As part of the monitoring we have carried out oncompliance with the investigation’srecommendations, we were provided withevidence that the Port Company is taking thenecessary steps to erect a sign in Irish at theport. It submitted a preplanning submissionregarding the sign to the Planning Section ofDublin City Council on 30 May 2019.

4. An Roinn Tithíochta, Pleanála agus RialtaisÁitiúil

Bhain an timscrúdú seo lefoilseachán de chuid na RoinneTithíochta, Pleanála agusRialtais Áitiúil, An CreatNáisiúnta Pleanála, agus suíomhgréasáin gaolmhar a bhí déantai mBéarla amháin. Leag médualgas ar an Roinnréamhfhógra ceithre seachtainea thabhairt do m’Oifig roimh andáta beartaithe foilsithe i gcásaon doiciméad lena mbaineannan gealltanas ábhartha scéime.Mairfidh an riachtanas sin goceann trí bliana ón dáta areisíodh an tuarascáilimscrúdaithe. Táim sásta gobhfuil an Roinn ag cloí leis namoltaí a rinne mé.

4. Department of Housing, Planning and LocalGovernment

This investigation related to apublication of the Departmentof Housing, Planning and LocalGovernment, the NationalPlanning Framework, and anassociated website that was inEnglish only. I required theDepartment to give my Officefour weeks’ advancenotification of the proposeddate of publication of anydocument that is subject to therelevant commitment in thelanguage scheme. Thisrequirement will remain inplace for a period of threeyears from the date theinvestigation report was issued.I am satisfied that theDepartment is complying withmy recommendations.

g .ie/2040.gov


5. Iarnród Éireann

Léirigh imscrúdú a rinne mé ar Iarnród Éireannnach raibh córais oiriúnacha ná córaisdhóthanacha i bhfeidhm ag an eagraíocht chun achinntiú go gcloítear leis na dualgais reachtúlafaoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 agusfaoin Acht Iompair, 1950 maidir le húsáid nadteangacha oifigiúla ar chomharthaí. I measc nagcásanna a scrúdaigh mé bhí úsáid na síntí fadaar chomharthaí áirithinte.

Tá faireachán leanúnach á dhéanamh archomhlíonadh mholtaí an imscrúdaithe seo agusmuid i mbun cumarsáid rialta leis an eagraíocht.In ainneoin go bhfuil roinnt de mholtaí animscrúdaithe curtha i gcrích go sásúil is cúismhór díomá dom nach bhfuil síntí fada á léiriú gocruinn ar chomharthaí áirithinte go fóill. Is ábharé seo a bhfuiltear i mbun plé le hIarnród Éireanngo fóill ina leith.

5. Iarnród Éireann

An investigation of Iarnród Éireann found thatthe organisation did not have appropriate oradequate systems in place to ensure adherenceto the statutory duties under the OfficialLanguages Act 2003 and the Transport Act 1950concerning the use of official languages on signs.The issues I examined included the use of thesíneadh fada on reservation signs.

We are continuing to monitor compliance of therecommendations of this investigation and are inregular communication with the organisation.While some of the recommendations made inthe investigation have been satisfactorilyimplemented, I am very disappointed that thesíneadh fada is not yet accurately displayed onreservation signs. This matter is still beingdiscussed with Iarnród Éireann.

6. Comhairle Contae Chorcaí

Rinne mé fionnachtain in imscrúdú arChomhairle Contae Chorcaí nár comhlíonadhan gealltanas a bhí tugtha ina scéim teanga gombeadh ábhar statach an tsuímh gréasáin arfáil i nGaeilge. Bhí an Chomhairle tar éis úsáida bhaint as córas meaisínaistriúcháin chun antábhar a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge ar an suíomhgréasáin nua a bhí forbartha aici.

Mar chuid den iniúchadh ar chur i bhfeidhmmholtaí an imscrúdaithe tá fianaise curtha ar fáilag an gComhairle dom maidir leis na céimeannaatá glactha aici chun an tábhar statach a chur arfáil go cruinn i nGaeilge. Níl an Chomhairle agbrath ar chóras meaisínaistriúcháin a thuilleadhagus tá dóchas againn go mbeidh sí géilliúil gohiomlán do ghealltanas ábhartha na scéimeteanga sula i bhfad.

6. Cork County Council

In an investigation on Cork County Council Ifound that a commitment provided in itslanguage scheme that the static content of itswebsite would be available in Irish had beenbreached. The Council used a machinetranslation system to provide the Irish contenton its newly developed website.

As part of the audit on the implementation ofthe recommendations of the investigation theCouncil has provided me with evidence of thesteps taken to make the static material availablein Irish. The Council is no longer relying on amachine translation system and we are confidentthat the relevant commitment of the languagescheme will be fully complied with in the nearfuture.


7. Amharclann na Mainistreach

Rinneadh gearán le m’Oifig i mí Feabhra 2017 goraibh réimse comharthaí in Amharclann naMainistreach nach raibh ag cloí le riachtanais narialachán ábhartha atá déanta faoin Acht. Nuairnár éirigh leis na hiarrachtaí neamhfhoirmiúla ancheist a shocrú, chinn mé dul i muinín imscrúdúfoirmiúil. Bhí sé mar fhionnachtain ag animscrúdú sin go raibh Amharclann naMainistreach ag sárú an dualgais reachtúil teangaatá daingnithe sna rialacháin.

Le linn an iniúchta archur i bhfeidhm mholtaían imscrúdaithecuireadh fianaise ar fáildúinn go bhfuil naréimsí comharthaí abábhar don imscrúdúceartaithe anois cé ismoite denphríomhchomharthalasmuigh denamharclann. Tá sétugtha le fios ag anamharclann dúinn gobhfuil dearadh déantaar leagan Gaeilge denchomhartha seo agus sampla de sin curtha faoimo bhráid. Más mall is mithid agus beidh anpríomhchomhartha seo, atá le crochadh lasmuighden amharclann, in airde roimh thús antsamhraidh agus é i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.

7. The Abbey Theatre

A complaint was made to my Office in February2017 that a range of signs in the Abbey Theatrewere not compliant with the requirements of therelevant regulations made under the Act. Whenthe informal attempts to resolve the matter werenot successful, I decided to undertake a formalinvestigation. The investigation found that theAbbey Theatre was in breach of the statutorylanguage obligation which had been confirmed inthe regulations.

During the audit on theimplementation of therecommendationsmade in theinvestigation we wereprovided with evidencethat the range of noncompliant signs whichwere the subject of theinvestigation have nowbeen corrected withthe exception of themain sign outside theAbbey Theatre. TheAbbey Theatre hasinformed us that it has

designed an Irishlanguage version of this signand a sample has been provided to me. Althoughbetter late than never, this main sign, to beerected outside the theatre before the beginningof summer, will be in Irish and in English.

Seoladh GhradamSheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh

Launch of GradamSheosamh Uí Ógartaigh


SCÉIMEANNA TEANGA

SCÉIMEANNA DAINGNITHE

Dhaingnigh an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agusGaeltachta sé chéadscéim teanga, sé dhara scéimteanga, ocht dtríú scéim teanga agus ceithrecheathrú scéim teanga le linn na bliana 2019.Faoi dheireadh na bliana bhí 138 scéim teangadaingnithe agus i bhfeidhm. Tá liosta de nacomhlachtaí poiblí a bhfuil scéim teanga dá gcuiddaingnithe ag an Aire le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáinna hOifige – www.coimisineir.ie

SCÉIMEANNA IN ÉAG

Bhí 68 scéim teanga, as 138 san iomlán, imithein éag faoi dheireadh na bliana 2019. In éagmaisscéim teanga nua a bheith aontaithe ag nacomhlachtaí poiblí, ní raibh aon dualgas orthu naseirbhísí a chuirtear ar fáil don phobal tríGhaeilge a threisiú.

DRÉACHTSCÉIMEANNA

Ag deireadh na bliana 2019, bhí 125dréachtscéim teanga fós le daingniú ag an AireCultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta

• 42 céaddréachtscéim, 49 dara dréachtscéim,21 tríú dréachtscéim, 12 cheathrúdréachtscéim agus 1 chúigiú dréachtscéim.

Tá os cionn deich mbliana caite ó iarradh ar 15de na comhlachtaí poiblí sin scéim a ullmhú agusos cionn cúig bliana i gcás 32 comhlacht poiblíeile.

LANGUAGE SCHEMES

SCHEMES CONFIRMED

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and theGaeltacht confirmed six new language schemes,six second language schemes, eight thirdlanguage schemes and four fourth languageschemes during 2019. By the end of the year,138 language schemes were confirmed andimplemented. A list of public bodies withconfirmed language schemes by the Minister isavailable on this Office’s website –www.coimisineir.ie.

SCHEMES EXPIRED

Of the 138 language schemes, 68 had expired byyearend 2019. This meant that, in the absenceof a new language scheme, no additionalcommitments in relation to improved services inIrish were required of those public bodies.

DRAFT SCHEMES

By the end of 2019, 125 draft language schemesremained to be confirmed by the Minister forCulture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.

• 42 first draft schemes, 49 second draftschemes, 21 third draft schemes, 12 fourthdraft schemes, and 1 fifth draft scheme.

More than ten years have elapsed since 15 ofthese public bodies were asked to prepare ascheme and more than five years in the case of32 of these public bodies.


Bliain inar daingníodh an chéad Scéim Teanga Year in which first Language Scheme was confirmed

Bliain Year Scéimeanna Schemes

2004 12005 222006 182007 292008 152009 152010 52011 02012 32013 42014 62015 92016 82017 112018 52019 6

157

Scéimeanna dímholta Schemes superseded 2

Scéimeanna as feidhm Lapsed schemes 17

Iomlán Total 138

5

10

15

20

25

30

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

n Céadscéim Daingnithe First Scheme Confirmed n Tríú Scéim Daingnithe Third Scheme Confirmed

n Dara Scéim Daingnithe Second Scheme Confirmed n Ceathrú Scéim Daingnithe Fourth Scheme Confirmed

Scéimeanna Daingnithe ag an Aire Schemes Confirmed by the Minister


2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2019

n Scéimeanna imithe in éag Schemes expired n Meántréimhse scéim in éag (mí) Average period scheme expired (month)

Scéimeanna imithe in éag Schemes expired

Líon na scéimeanna in éag de réir a dtréimhse in éag The number of schemes expired and the period since they expired

n Os cionn 7 mbliana Greater than 7 years

n Idir 4-7 mbliana Between 4-7 years

n Idir 1-3 bliana Between 1-3 years

n Níos lú ná bliain Less than a year

28

7

20

13

Tá eolas breise maidir leis na scéimeanna teangadaingnithe agus le hiarratais ardhréachtscéimeanna a ullmhú le fáil ar shuíomhgréasáin Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga agwww.coimisineir.ie

Additional information regarding confirmedlanguage schemes and requests to preparelanguage schemes is available on the Office ofAn Coimisinéir Teanga website atwww.coimisineir.ie


Sonraí Details

Uimhir Number

Luach (€)Value (€)

Céatadán (%) de líon iomlánna n-íocaíochtaí a rinneadh Percentage (%) of totalnumber of payments made

Líon na n-íocaíochtaí a rinneadh laistigh de 15 láNumber of payments made within 15 days

219 109,024 100%

Líon na n-íocaíochtaí a rinneadh laistigh de thréimhse idir 16 lá agus 30 lá Number of payments made within a period of 16 days to 30 days

Líon na n-íocaíochtaí a rinneadh sa bhreis ar 30 lá Number of payments made in excess of 30 days

Líon iomlán na n-íocaíochtaí sa tréimhse Total number of payments made in the period

219 109,024 100%

TUAIRISC AR ÍOCAÍOCHTAÍ PRASA PROMPT PAYMENTS REPORT

Tréimhse Clúdaithe: 1 Eanáir – 31 Nollaig 2019 Period Covered: 1 January – 31 December 2019

CÚRSAÍ AIRGEADAIS

Cuireadh buiséad €810,000 ar fáil don Oifig donbhliain 2019 agus tarraingíodh anuas €808,347den airgead sin.

Tá ráitis airgeadais na hOifige don bhliain 2019ullmhaithe don ArdReachtaire Cuntas agus Cistelena niniúchadh de réir fhoalt 8(2) den DaraSceideal d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003.

A luaithe agus is féidir tar éis an iniúchta,déanfaidh an Coimisinéir Teanga cóip de nacuntais sin, nó de cibé sleachta as na cuntais sina shonróidh an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agusGaeltachta, mar aon le tuarascáil an ArdReachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste maidir leis nacuntais, a chur i láthair an Aire.

Beidh cóipeanna de na doiciméid sin á leaganfaoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais ag an Aire.Foilseofar freisin iad ar shuíomh gréasáin nahOifige seo.

ÍOCAÍOCHTAÍ PRASA

I gcomhréir le cinntí Rialtais a rinneadh ar an 2agus an 8 Márta 2011 agus ar an 28 Márta2017, leagadh dualgas ar eagraíochtaí stáit córaischuí a fheidhmiú ionas go níocfaí sonraisc bhailílaistigh de 15 lá ón dáta a fhaightear iad. Tádualgas ar eagraíochtaí stáit chomh maith tuairiscráithiúil maidir leis an ábhar seo a fhoilsiú ar asuíomh gréasáin.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

A budget of €810,000 was provided for myOffice for 2019 and €808,347 of that moneywas drawn down.

The financial statements of the Office for 2019have been prepared for audit by the Comptrollerand Auditor General in accordance withsubsection 8(2) of the Second Schedule of theOfficial Languages Act 2003.

As soon as possible after the audit, a copy ofthose accounts or of such extracts from thoseaccounts as the Minister for Culture, Heritageand the Gaeltacht may specify shall be presentedto the Minister together with the report of theComptroller and Auditor General on theaccounts.

Copies of those documents shall be laid beforethe Houses of the Oireachtas by the Minister.They will also be published on this Office’swebsite.

PROMPT PAYMENTS

In accordance with Government decisions madeon the 2nd and 8th of March 2011 and on the28th of March 2017, public bodies are requiredto have appropriate systems in place to ensurethat valid invoices are paid within 15 days fromthe date they are received. Public bodies are alsorequired to publish a quarterly report on thismatter on their website.


NOCHTADH COSANTA

Tá an teolas seo a leanas á thabhairt i gcomhréirle halt 22(1) den Acht um Nochtadh Cosanta,2014.

Ní dhearnadh aon nochtadh cosanta le hOifig anChoimisinéara Teanga le linn na bliana 2019.

DUALGAS NA hEARNÁLA POIBLÍUM CHOMHIONANNAS AGUSCEARTA AN DUINE

Leagtar dualgas ar chomhlachtaí poiblí faoin Achtfá Choimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duineagus Comhionannas, 2014 aird chuí a thabhairtar shaincheisteanna a bhaineann le cearta anduine agus le comhionannas. Tá an Oifig seo agglacadh cur chuige réamhghníomhach leis andualgas sin a chur i bhfeidhm.

Le linn na bliana 2019, chinntíomar go ndearnafoireann uile na hOifige cúrsa oiliúna ar líne idtaca le rochtain, chun feasacht na heagraíochtaa ardú. Tá sé beartaithe oiliúint a chur arfhostaithe nua ar bhonn leanúnach.

PROTECTED DISCLOSURE

The following information is provided inaccordance with section 22(1) of the ProtectedDisclosures Act 2014.

No protected disclosures were made to theOffice of An Coimisinéir Teanga during 2019.

PUBLIC SECTOR EQUALITY ANDHUMAN RIGHTS DUTY

The Irish Human Rights and Equality CommissionAct 2014 places a duty on public bodies to havedue regard to human rights and equality issues.This Office is adopting a proactive approach toimplementing this obligation.

During 2019, we ensured that staff undertookaccess training online, to increase awarenesswithin the organisation. It is proposed to providetraining for any new employees on an ongoingbasis.

An Coimisinéir Teanga, Rónán ÓDomhnaill, agus Coimisinéir anGharda Síochána, Drew HarrisAn Coimisinéir Teanga, Rónán Ó

Domhnaill, and the Commissionerof An Garda Síochána, Drew Harris


ÚSÁID FUINNIMH

Tá an teolas seo a leanas á thabhairt i gcomhréirle forálacha I.R. 542 de 2009.

Forbhreathnú ar úsáid fuinnimh sa bhliain2019

Baineann iomlán an fhuinnimh le leictreachas aúsáideann Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ibhfoirgneamh na hOifige sa Spidéal, Co. naGaillimhe. Cuimsíonn sé sin an fuinneamh aúsáidtear i gcomhair théamh agus aerú anfhoirgnimh, téamh uisce, soilse agus trealamhoifige.

Tháinig laghdú ar úsáid fuinnimh Oifig anChoimisinéara Teanga sa bhliain 2019. D’úsáidan Oifig 60.17 MWh leictreachais, ísliú 7.9% arúsáid na bliana 2018.

Gníomhartha a rinneadh in 2019

Leanadh de na beartais a bunaíodh cheana:féachtar chuige go múchtar fearais oifige nuairnach mbíonn gá leo agus deimhnítear agdeireadh an lae oibre go bhfuil gach fearasmúchta don oíche agus nuair nach mbítear sanoifig. Cuirtear úsáid fuinnimh san áireamh marchritéar nuair a bhíonn trealamh leictreonach ároghnú don oifig nó tairiscintí ar threalamh ámeas.

Gníomhartha atá beartaithe do 2020

Leanfar de na beartais sábhála fuinnimh atátionscanta cheana féin agus déanfarmonatóireacht rialta ar úsáid leictreachais igcaitheamh na bliana 2020.

ENERGY USAGE

The following information is provided inaccordance with the provisions of S.I. 542 of2009.

Overview of energy usage in 2019

The use of electricity in the office building in AnSpidéal, Co. Galway constitutes the total energyconsumption of the Office of An CoimisinéirTeanga. This includes the heating and aeration ofthe building, water heating, lighting and the useof office equipment.

There was a decrease in the amount of energyconsumed by the Office of An CoimisinéirTeanga in 2019. The Office used 60.17 MWh ofelectricity, a decrease of 7.9% on 2018consumption.

Actions taken in 2019

The established energysaving practices werecontinued: ensuring that all equipment is turnedoff when not in use and examining the office atthe end of every working day to ensure thatlights and equipment are switched off overnightand when the building is not occupied. Energyconsumption is used as a criterion in choosingelectronic equipment and in evaluating tendersfor equipment.

Actions planned for 2020

The Office will continue the energysavingpolicies already initiated and it is intended tomonitor electricity consumption on a regularbasis during 2020.


FOIREANNSTAFF

Ar an 12 Márta 2014, cheap Uachtarán na hÉireann, Micheál D. Ó hUigínn, Rónán Ó Domhnaill marChoimisinéir Teanga.On 12 March 2014, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, appointed Rónán Ó Domhnaill as Coimisinéir Teanga.

Is é an leagan Gaeilge buntéacs na Tuarascála seo.The Irish language version is the original text of this Report.

An Coimisinéir Teanga Rónán Ó Domhnaill

Stiúrthóir Director Colm Ó Coisdealbha

Bainisteoir Cumarsáide Communications Manager Órla de Búrca

Bainisteoir Imscrúduithe Investigations Manager Éamonn Ó Bróithe

Bainisteoir Géilliúlachta Compliance Manager Eileen Seoighe

Bainisteoir Gnóthaí Corparáideacha Corporate Affairs Manager Nóirín Sheoige

Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Executive Officer Gráinne Ní Shúilleabháin

Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin Executive Officer Deirdre Nic Dhonncha

Oifigeach Cléireachais Clerical Officer Ciara Dolphin


NÓTAÍ | NOTES


NÓTAÍ | NOTES

An Coimisinéir TeangaAn Spidéal, Gaillimh, Éire.H91 VK23091 504 [email protected]

@ceartateanga

Documents

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Annual Report2019...Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Annual Report Don Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta: De réir alt 30 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla,