Irish language disappears from buses

THE Irish language has disappeared from the display signs on several vehicles in the state-owned bus company’s fleet.

Bus Éireann blamed a software glitch and said it is working to resolve the issue to ensure it complies fully with the terms of the Official Languages Act.

A company spokesman said it is company policy to display the destination of buses, in both Irish and English on the new digital displays located on the fronts and sides of its bus fleet.

But he said since they became aware of this latest issue affecting several of the newer buses working on the Cork city network they are working quickly to fix it.

“This problem affects some of the displays on the new buses on our city routes. But it’s nothing that can’t be resolved. It is a slight and minor technical issue that has appeared in recent weeks and we hope to have it resolved quickly,” he said.

An Coimisinéir Teanga, the office of the Irish Language Commissioner set up in 2004 to monitor Irish language rights, confirmed that Bus Éireann comes, like all public bodies, under the aegis of the Official Languages Act 2003.

It was brought in gradually to increase and improve the quantity and quality of services provided for the public through Irish by public bodies. But a spokesperson said the office has received no complaint yet in relation to Bus Éireann’s digital displays.

But Irish language promotions group, Gael-Taca, expressed concerns about the glitch.

Gael-Taca runaí, Barra O Caoimh, said he would be concerned if the problem wasn’t resolved quickly.

“We have no complaints about this yet. I am disappointed to hear that it’s happening and would encourage Bus Éireann to put it right quickly,” he said. However, he pointed out Bus Éireann has been to the fore in promoting the language.

Gael-Taca ran a successful marketing campaign using posters on the back of Bus Éireann’s Cork city fleet.

“Bus Éireann is to be complimented for what they do for the Gaeilge,” Mr O Caoimh said. “They have a lot of bilingual signs inside their stations, and inside their buses. If every group made such an effort we’d be delighted.”

Gael-Taca presents an Irish language radio programme at 4pm every Thursday, broadcast on Cork Campus Radio on 98.3fm.