Access to State services through Irish a Constitutional right, says Ó Cuiv

THE right of citizens to access State services and documents through Irish is a Constitutional right, said Gaeltacht Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv yesterday.

The minister strongly defended the Official Languages Act 2003 and the obligations it imposes on State bodies to translate official documents and the rights it gives Irish speakers to access services in Ireland.

Mr Ó Cuiv was debating a series of new regulations proposed under Section 9 of the Act, including the use of dual language road signs and telephone voice messages to be available bilingually.