Using state services through Irish

This article outlines what to expect when dealing with state services through Irish.

It is stated in the Irish constitution that every citizen has the right to communicate with the State through Irish – to conduct all business and every part of his business with the state through Irish and through Irish only.

In reality, services in Irish are rarely provided to the same standard as they are in English. 

Take the opportunity to use Irish when you are dealing with the State and if you have any difficulty, contact Conradh na Gaeilge or contact An Coimisinéir Teanga.

Following the Official Languages Act 2003, the following are some of the things you can do through Irish:

• Not only can you get your driving license from the County Council or the City Council nearest to you through Irish, but you can get driving rules in Irish from the Road Safety Authority and you have the right to take the driving test in same language. And if you have anything to discuss with any Garda, you can speak to him or her in Irish too!
• All CIÉ, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann announcements should be recorded in Irish and English so you don’t miss that bus to that big music festival in County Laois for example!
• If you are traveling further from home this year, why not order your passport in Irish? The airport authorities should also be providing you with an Irish language service, so speak Irish to them. Show the world that you love the Irish language!
• All business can be done through Irish in post offices throughout the country. Order your stamps through Irish in the future!
• All public hospitals and even the Irish Red Cross Society are subject to the Act, so don’t worry if you’re sick of English: you have the right to receive an Irish language service from them and from the Health Service Executive (HSE) too! The HSE has Irish Language Officers; more information available here.
• Do you have a complaint or suggestion to make in relation to television or radio matters? RTÉ is a public body and you can request an Irish language service from them whenever you want. Let them know that Irish is worth it!
• If you have a passion for arts and culture, know that you can seek an Irish language service from the Abbey Theatre, the National Gallery of Ireland, all State museums and the National Library of Ireland as well. Put the gestures of culture and Irish on yourself today!
• It’s never nice to pay your taxes but if necessary, at least you can talk to the Tax Office through Irish now!
• Returning to education as a mature student? If you seek information from universities and technology institutes in Irish, you have the right to receive every letter or email back from them in the same language. In the same way, if you are interested in doing a FÁS or Teaching course, you have the right to receive an Irish language service from them as well. Talk to the Department of Education and Skills through Irish today!
• If you write to any public body or state department in Irish, you have the right to receive a reply in Irish.

Services through Irish in the north

It is laid down in the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages that citizens can use the Irish language when writing to government departments and agencies or when ringing them. However, they are not obliged to respond in Irish. 

You can also fill in application forms and tax reports in Irish. Keep in mind when writing letters to the State in Irish that a response may take a little while longer, as the letter will need to be translated. 

If you would like to call the Government in Irish, there is a voicemail set up that allows you to do this: 028 90515252. Make sure to make it clear who the message is for and give your e-mail address also so that they can contact you after your message has been translated.

Updated: May 2024