Minister meets legal professionals on the use of Irish in courts

Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir today met with some legal professionals to discuss their views on the use of Irish in courts.

The 1737 Act which is still in force here places a requirement that court proceedings must be carried out in English. Equivalents of the Act passed for England and Scotland in 1731 and Wales in 1733 were repealed in 1863.

The Minister said: “As the Minister with policy responsibility for the regulation of members of the legal profession, I would like to see the rights of Irish speaking lawyers and those who wish to use Irish in the courts protected and today I am hearing first hand from some legal practitioners on the use of Irish in court.

“This type of legislation is not in use anywhere else in these islands. I have raised this issue with the Justice Minister and will continue to consult with Irish Language and legal groups to consider the best way forward on the issue."

The Irish language version of this press release is available at the link below.

Tá leagan Gaeilge den phreas ráiteas seo ar fáil ag an nasc thíos.

• Buaileann an tAire le gairmithe dlí faoi úsáid na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna

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