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From:Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

Today – Wednesday, 9 September – the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, addressed the International Association of Language Commissioners conference. In his address, Minister Calleary highlighted the progress made regarding the Irish language over the past twenty years, since it was granted official European Union language status.

The ninth conference of the International Association of Language Commissioners (IALC) is currently taking place in Galway (8–10 September). The conference is being held in Ireland this year because Ireland's Language Commissioner, Séamas Ó Concheanainn, is chairperson of the IALC at present.

The conference, held biennially, offers an opportunity to focus on issues relating to linguistic diversity, legislative challenges, and technological changes within the context of minority language rights. Information regarding important global language rights issues and effective ways to address them is discussed and shared.

Key topics at this year’s conference include aligning public service delivery models with the needs of minority language communities; language standards and the ‘active offer’; strengthening Irish language rights through commercial advertising; and language rights in the European Union, ranging from national recognition to participation at EU level.

In addition to the standard conference proceedings, an extra session was held this year as part of the programme of events organised by the Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. That session, titled‘Language Rights in the European Sphere: from National Recognition to Participation at EU Level’, was organised by the Department in collaboration with the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD). That session focused on what language communities can learn from one another regarding the achievement of official status at national and European levels.

Speaking at that session, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said:

“I am delighted to be present at this important conference in Galway, where global policy leaders have gathered to examine minority language rights. This event demonstrates Ireland’s firm commitment to protecting language rights, and it offers us a wonderful opportunity to learn from other jurisdictions and to strengthen our own leadership role in this area.

“It is timely that the Office of the Irish Language Commissioner holds the IALC chair this year. I commend the important work being undertaken by An Coimisinéir Teanga and his team. I also greatly value the fact that we were able to include this event in the Department’s programme of activities under the EU Presidency.”

The Language Commissioner and Chairperson of the International Association of Language Commissioners (IALC), Séamas Ó Concheanainn, said:

“The IALC international conference serves as a vital platform for examining in depth the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead regarding language rights and the promotion of minority language use across our various jurisdictions worldwide.

“This conference places particular emphasis on the importance of adapting today’s public services to the contemporary and linguistic needs of our language communities, and on the necessary leadership from governments to achieve this.”

The conference agenda includes high-level panels examining the following topics in depth:

The main sessions are taking place today (9 September) in the ILAS building at the University of Galway, followed by the IALC Annual General Meeting at Stiúideo Cuan in An Spidéal on 10 September.