Gardaí send for help to learn Irish

Gardaí are to be instructed on improving their ability to speak a cúpla focal after the Irish language competence of the force was criticised by An Coimisinéir Teanga.

In his annual report, the commissioner, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, expressed concern about the ability of gardaí to deal with Irish-language speakers for routine queries.

Mr Ó Cuirreáin, who monitors how public bodies comply with the Official Languages Act, described 2012 as “not a vintage year” for the promotion of the Irish language in the public sector.