Bid to get EU recognition for Gaeilge

The Government is to formally launch its bid to get official status for the Irish language in the EU today.

Irish ambassador to the EU Anne Anderson will request that rules be amended so that Irish is no longer just a "Treaty" language, but also a "working" language.

This would mean ministers and MEPs could address meetings “as Gaeilge”. The move is likely to open up a debate on language rights in many countries.