The Irish language becomes the twenty first official language of the European Union.
The European Council of Ministers formally approved the measure, which was supported unanimously by European Union foreign ministers and means that all key EU legislation will now be translated into Irish. The measure will cost an estimated cost of €3.5 million a year.
As foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg to vote on the issue, there were fears that Netherlands and Spain may object to the recognition fearing minority language speakers in their countries may seek similar recognition. Intervention by the Irish government put those fears to rest. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern welcomed the decision to recognise the Irish language as a working language in the European Union.
It has been a strong policy of the government to build the Irish language and to do everything to help it.
Just over a year ago, the Stádas Campaign drew thousands of people onto the streets of Dublin demanding European Union status for the Irish language.
As a result of the recognition of the Irish language, the EU plans to employ up to 30 people as Irish language translators. From 2011, proficiency in Irish will be recognised when applying for any job at EU level.
Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh, president of Conradh na Gaeilge, is grateful for the support their campaign received from across Irish society. Irish speakers across Ireland welcomed the news.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 June 2005. The reporter is Jonathan Clynch.
