Irish speakers treated poorly by the CSO

I WOULD like to make a few points regarding how Irish speakers were treated by the Central Statistics Office in this year’s census, 2011.

Enumerators were given no help or guidance regarding Irish-language addresses.

Regardless of whether the census form requested was in Irish or English, the address was written in English by the Enumerator. Irish speakers who asked to use their Irish addresses were looked on as eccentrics who could be ignored.

As regards Form E (the form required for those who are outside the state on Census night), the CSO did not trouble to produce any Form E in Irish, supposing that no Irish speakers travel abroad. I have been told on good authority that it was intended that the Enumerators were to fill the English form in English, then ask the Irish speaker to sign it, treating them as if they were illiterate. No word of explanation or apology has been forthcoming from the CSO.

I would advise Irish-language speakers to seriously consider whether they will take part in any future census, as their rights are being eroded, and their complaints ignored.

Proinsias Ní Mhurchú

Ionad Buail Isteach

BAC 2