Irish will not be among 20 official EU languages in May

FROM May 1, the number of official languages used in the European Union will increase to 20, but so far, Irish will not be one of them.

At present, there are 11 languages regularly used at meetings, conferences and courts and in documents.

The 10 new member States are all bringing their own language with them, with the exception of Cyprus, which uses Greek, already an EU tongue. If current peace talks succeed, northern Cyprus could also be joining the EU on May 1, which could see Turkish becoming the union’s 21st official language.