Getting through the language barrier

ENNIS Town Council has been told to mind its language. An investigation by An Coimisinéir Teanga has found that the county capital’s local authority has breached bilingual signage regulations.

 

Ennis Town Council has been given three years by the commissioner to implement its Irish Signage Plan for the town. This is quite a contradiction as, at the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Towns Awards, Ennis was commended for its promotion of the Irish language in local businesses.

A recent meeting of Ennis councillors saw Mayor of Ennis Peter Considine express his support for the promotion of the Irish language. However, he described the recent taping over of non-regulation signs in the town as “rather extreme”.

In response to the findings of the commissioner, the council has emphasised its intention to implement the bilingual signage plan as soon as possible, blaming the impact of the recession for the delay.

Town clerk Leonard Cleary confirmed that during 2012, following a complaint from a member of the public, An Coimisinéir Teanga conducted an investigation in Ennis under the Official Languages Act 2003. It was found that Ennis Town Council breached the statutory language duties, which are ratified in the regulations and in the orders that have been made under a sub-paragraph of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the statutory language duties under a section of the Official Languages Act.

In its report, the commissioner outlined, “It appears that the council has a system in place now to ensure that there isn’t or that there will not be a breach of this happening now or henceforth in relation to any new signs. But there is an obligation on the council to appropriately amend the signs, which were erected before now and that are not in keeping with the statutory language obligations as soon as possible.”

The commissioner recommended that the council ensures it complies fully and appropriately in the future with the statutory language provisions any time new signs are erected.

The recommendations also stated that Ennis Town Council should now progress with making amendments on signs that are not compliant and that the council implement their Irish Signage Plan within three years in the case of the town in total.

At a meeting of the local authority, Mr Cleary outlined that Ennis Town Council has confirmed to An Coimisinéir Teanga that most of the signage referred to in the report is “historical” legacy signage.

He commented that while the council is committed to the implementation of the bilingual signage plans, the recession has led to difficulties.

He stated, “The report [from An Coimisinéir Teanga] notes that Ennis Town Council is taking this opportunity to do some housekeeping etc, in relation to recent signage as part of this process. The council is endeavouring to expedite the implementation of the bilingual signage plans, as submitted previously to An Coimisinéir Teanga. Previously, a completion date was agreed by Ennis Town Council with An Coimisinéir Teanga.

“The council committed to this date in good faith but could not have foreseen the impact of the recession on its resources and, hence, ability to deliver on the agreed date. Staffing levels have reduced by 20% and continue to reduce. The department embargo on recruitment remains in place. The council’s rates income and national Government income is reducing dramatically on an annual basis. These factors have caused unavoidable bilingual signage renewal project difficulties for the huge number of signs involved.

“However, Ennis Town Council certainly has the will and intention to implement this bilingual signage plan as soon as possible. The council has taken the opportunity to assure An Coimisinéir Teanga that all reasonable efforts are being made to expedite a completion date. The commissioner has agreed to grant a further three years for the implementation of the Irish Signage Plan. In this regard, the Coimisinéir has courteously taken on board the council’s request and circumstances,” Mr Cleary said.