The irish language in present-day Ireland

Abstract

If one were to observe the general state of Irish in Ireland today, one could readily conclude that the language is in a healthy state and that there is no immediate danger to it, particularly given the following circumstances:2 1. Irish has primary official language-status in Bunreacht na hÉireann (‘The Constitution of Ireland’) and it also has official language-status in the legislation of the European Union. 2. The Official Languages Act, 2003 (Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003), the Language Commissioner (Coimisinéir Teanga) and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla) are in operation in the Republic of Ireland in order to ensure that speakers of Irish may (i) employ Irish in their dealings with state and semi-state/public organisations; (ii) have recourse to an independent arbitrator where service through Irish is lacking, in whole or in part. It may also be noted that an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland has been promised by the British Government since the 2006 St Andrews Agreement.