FG line on interpreters breaches human rights

WE were disappointed to read about the Fine Gael response to the cost of providing interpreters in garda stations and in the courts (January 1).

The party’s justice spokesperson, Charlie Flanagan, believes that anyone found guilty should have to pay for interpretation.

Such a step would be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 which provides for the free assistance of an interpreter in criminal proceedings where the defendant does not understand the language of the court.

However, we are concerned that the gardaí have paid €2.6m and the Courts Service €2.7m for a service where there is absolutely no monitoring or quality control.

Court interpreters receive one day’s training, which is totally inadequate.

The emphasis is on recruiting “speakers of other languages” rather than interpreters. While some interpreters do a very good job, many merely provide a summary version of what is said in court.

In Britain, the police spend twice as much on interpreting as the courts. We welcome the increased garda spend on interpreting, but there are still too many cases where family members and friends are acting as interpreters.

In rural areas especially, it may be difficult to access an interpreter quickly and there is a tendency to just ask anyone living locally if they can do the job.

We would very much like to see a more professional service where interpreters are tested independently to ensure that they can in fact carry out their work in a competent fashion.

Mary Phelan

PRO

Irish Translators and

Interpreters Association

19 Parnell Square

Dublin 1