The surprising people speaking up for Irish

THE resignation of the Irish-language commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, is “undoubtedly the worst blow to the Irish language in many years,” say Irish-language group, Conradh na Gaeilge.

Ó Cuirreáin, appointed as the first commissioner in 2004, and re-appointed in 2010, says many civil servants and public body employees are only capable of conducting business through English.

Ó Cuirreáin accused the Government of hypocrisy, and said Irish speakers in Gaeltachts were being neglected.