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Coimisinéir Teanga caught by complaints about Covid-19 matters in 2020.
Coimisinéir Teanga gafa ag gearáin faoi chúrsaí covid 19 in 2020.
One in five complaints made to An Coimisinéir Teanga Rónán Ó Domhnaill last year concerned Covid-19.
Bhain ceann as gach cúig ghearán a rinneadh leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga Rónán Ó Domhnaill anuraidh le covid 19.
An Coimisinéir Teanga ‘s annual report published today states that the majority of these complaints related to English – only methods of communication with the public – including information booklets, websites and advertising.
Deirtear i dtuarascáil bhliantúil an Choimisinéara Teanga a foilsíodh inniu gur bhain formhór na ngearán sin le modhanna cumarsáide leis an bpobal a bhí i mBéarla amháin – leabhráin eolais, suímh idirlín agus fógraíocht ina measc.
However, An Coimisinéir Teanga points out that many of the complaints could not be formally investigated as the amount of services that must be provided through Irish under the Official Languages Act is insufficient.
Tugann an Coimisinéir Teanga le fios, áfach, nach bhféadfaí go leor de na gearáin a fhiosrú go foirmiúil mar nach leor méid na seirbhísí a chaithfear a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill bluntly expresses his dissatisfaction with this situation: “The figures in the annual report show that when the service or the information from the State was more important and urgent, it was less likely to be provided in Irish.
Go neamhbhalbh a chuireann Rónán Ó Domhnaill a mhíshásamh faoin scéal seo in iúl: “Léiríonn na figiúirí sa tuarascáil bhliantúil nuair ba thábhachtaí agus ba phráinní an tseirbhís nó an t-eolas ón Stát gur lú an seans go gcuirfí ar fáil as Gaeilge í.
“Many of those who contacted my Office felt that Irish speakers were being marginalized at a time when it was necessary to bring the whole community together in a common effort.
“Bhraith go leor de na daoine a rinne teagmháil le m’Oifig go raibh imeallú á dhéanamh ar lucht labhartha na Gaeilge tráth is gá an pobal ar fad a thabhairt le chéile in iarracht chomónta.
“The enormous challenges facing the State in the time of Covid-19 should not be underestimated but there should be no conflict between the serious national actions being taken and language rights obligations.”
“Níor cheart beagán a dhéanamh de na dúshláin ollmhóra atá roimh an Stát in aimsir covid 19 ach níor cheart go mbeadh coimhlint idir na gníomhartha tromchúiseacha náisiúnta atá idir lámha agus dualgais i dtaca le cearta teanga.”
Rónán Ó Domhnaill has been demanding since his appointment as Coimisinéir Teanga seven years ago that a stronger and broader foundation be laid under the Language Act and it is clear from what he says in the annual report that he has no acceptance of the delay: Complaints made to the Office last year reiterated the need for a strengthened Language Act in order to receive a better service through Irish from the State.
Tá Rónán Ó Domhnaill ag éileamh ó ceapadh é ina Choimisinéir Teanga seacht mbliana ó shin go gcuirfí bonn níos láidre agus níos leithne faoin Acht Teanga agus tá sé le tuiscint óna ndeir sé sa tuarascáil bhliantúil nach bhfuil aon ghlacadh aige leis an moill: “Léiríonn na gearáin a rinneadh leis an Oifig anuraidh arís eile an gá le hAcht Teanga neartaithe chun seirbhís níos fearr trí Ghaeilge a fháil ón Stát.
It is hoped that the amended Language Bill will begin to do so once enacted. “
Tá súil go dtosóidh an Bille Teanga leasaithe á dhéanamh sin ach é a bheith achtaithe.”
The report also states that the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga completed four formal investigations during 2020.
Deirtear sa tuarascáil chomh maith gur thug Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ceithre imscrúdú fhoirmiúla chun críche le linn 2020.
A pair of them belonged to Covid -19.
Bhain péire acu le Covid -19.
It is alleged that one investigation revealed that the Department of Education had breached the Education Act by deciding to provide an online portal for students to register for Leaving Certificate calculated grades in English only.
Maítear gur léirigh imscrúdú amháin gur sháraigh an Roinn Oideachais an tAcht Oideachais nuair a cinnneadh tairseach ar líne chun go gcláródh mic léinn do ghráid ríofa san Ardteist a chur ar fáil i mBéarla amháin.
According to the other investigation, Galway City Council breached the Official Languages Act by erecting Covid-19 English only signs throughout the city.
De réir an imscrúdaithe eile, sháraigh Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla nuair a cuireadh comharthaí i mBéarla amháin a bhain le covid 19 in airde ar fud na cathrach.
In relation to RTÉ, An Coimisinéir Teanga states that a complaint was made at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic that no provision appeared to be being made for schools that teach through the medium of Irish when it was decided to provide classes on RTÉ.
I dtaca le RTÉ de, deir an Coimisinéir Teanga go ndearnadh gearán i dtús na paindéime covid 19 nár chosúil go raibh aon soláthar á dhéanamh do scoileanna a mhúineann trí mheán na Gaeilge nuair a rinneadh cinneadh ranganna a chur ar fáil ar RTÉ.
It was decided soon after that the schools that teach through the medium of Irish would be catered for by providing classes on TG4, an arrangement which resolved the issue, he says.
Socraíodh go luath ina dhiaidh sin go ndéanfaí freastal ar na scoileanna a mhúineann trí mheán na Gaeilge trí ranganna a sholáthar ar TG4, socrú a réitigh an cheist, a deir sé.
In total, 604 complaints were made to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga last year, a decrease of 14% from 2019.
Ar an iomlán, rinneadh 604 gearán le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga anuraidh, sin laghdú 14 faoin gcéad ó 2019.
33% of complaints came from Dublin and 23% from Gaeltacht areas.
Tháinig 33 faoin gcéad de na gearáin ó Bhaile Átha Cliath agus 23 faoin gcéad ó cheantair Ghaeltachta.
As in previous years, the annual report states, many complaints were resolved through the informal complaints resolution system or by advising complainants.
Fearacht blianta roimhe seo, a deirtear sa tuarascáil bhliantúil, fuarthas comhréiteach ar chuid mhór de na gearáin tríd an gcóras neamhfhoirmiúil réitithe gearán nó trí chomhairle a chur ar ghearánaigh.