No hardship finding Irish translators for EU parliament

IRISH is to become an official working language within the European Union on January 1.

There are some people who believe that the European Parliament is having difficulties in recruiting people to translate and interpret the Irish language.

This assertion could not be further from the truth.

In the area of translation, the European Parliament received 434 applications from prospective translators — 250 of these applicants were called to a written exam.

Of this list, the first initial batch of 30 translators will shortly be recruited.

In the area of interpretation, the European Parliament needs to recruit nine interpreters.

The European Parliament received 25 applications from prospective interpreters. From this list, six applicants were offered to go on an intensive one-year interpretation course, of which five have accepted.

There are already three accredited interpreters for the Irish language within the European Parliament.

Seven people have already sat the test to become lawyer-linguists covering the Irish language and two of these applicants will shortly be recruited.

While I do recognise that it is taking time to oversee this overall recruitment process, one must understand that the European Parliament applies very rigorous standards before it agrees to employing interpreters or translators.

Nonetheless, this process of recruitment for those who will be working on the Irish language within the European Parliament is proceeding at a strong pace.

Sean Ó Neáchtain MEP

An Spidéal

Co na Gaillimhe and European Parliament

Rue Wiertz

Brussels 1047

Belgium