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Home
Age Groups
Age Group 4 and under
Irish names
Playgroups
Using Irish with your children
Speaking Irish to your grandchildren
Raising children with Irish outside the Gaeltacht
Raising children through Irish in the Gaeltacht
Support, services & facilities
Age Group 4 - 12
Irish-Medium Schools
Benefits of All-Irish Education
Irish Colleges (Gaeltacht Summer Courses)
The Gaelbhratach
Irish Language Festivals
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Age Group 12 - 18
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Benefits of All-Irish Education
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Age Group 18 - 22
Learn Irish: 18-22 year olds
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Age Group 22+
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Get Involved in the Movement with Conradh na Gaeilge
Conversation Circles
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Support, services & facilities
Community
PEIG.ie Newsletter
10 Reasons to Register to our Business Directory
Supports Available for Businesses
Conversation Circles
Surnames
The Gaeltacht
Community Groups
Irish Language Centres
Organisations
Irish Language Festivals
Festivals
Irish Week / Seachtain na Gaeilge
Awareness Events
5 Tips
Irish Language Books
Irish Language Podcasts
Learn
Learning Irish
Playgroups
Irish-Medium Schools
Irish in English Speaking Schools
Irish Classes for Adults
Irish Classes
Irish Services for Schools
Terminology and Grammar Tools Online
Rights
The Official Languages ​​Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language
The European Charter for Minority Languages
The 20 Year Strategy in the North
Services Available in Irish
Get Involved with Conradh na Gaeilge
Campaigns
Research and Submissions
Using Irish State Services
Irish Language Commissioner
Employment
Irish Language Careers Booklet
Irish language jobs (Europe)
Irish language jobs in Ireland
Irish Third-Level Courses
Vacancies
Information Sheet on Job Possibilities

The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages

The European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages is designed to offer protection by breaking down the obstacles that prevent people from using minority languages. It is of particular importance for the Irish language in the north, which is not currently protected by a Language Act. 

The Charter was brought in by the British Government in 2001, making several binding promises regarding the Irish language under Section III.

A variety of subjects are covered in the Charter, including education, contact with the government, services that are to be provided through minority languages and more.

Local councils are required to put together a Courtesy Code for the Irish language, and ensure that all members of staff are aware of this code. Section II of the Charter states that councils are required to proactively encourage the written and oral use of Irish in both public and private matters. 

According to Article 7(4) of the Charter, councils must take the requirements and wishes of groups using the minority language in question into account when drafting language legislation. 

Article 10 of the Charter states that local councils must:

  • Facilitate speakers who send in applications through the Irish language
  • Facilitate public companies in drafting documents in Irish
  • Facilitate, enable and encourage the use of Irish in debates in council chambers
  • Enable and facilitate the use of traditional place names and traditional family surnames 
  • Provide translation services when needed

With regard to events and cultural facilities, Article 12 of the Charter states that the local councils must:

  • Encourage projects regarding the Irish language and support the availability of Irish language materials
  • Inform groups that are organising and supporting cultural events about any requirements regarding the Irish language
  • Facilitate and encourage research, exchanges and the learning of the Irish language

It has been shown in the most recent COMEX reports that more can be done to remove obstacles preventing people from using the Irish language. 

A COMEX report in January 2014 showed that the British Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly failed to fulfill their duties regarding the Irish language under the Charter. 

More information regarding the charter can be found at cnag.ie