A cross-party delegation of Irish MEPs met yesterday evening with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz to discuss the absence of an Irish language version of the European Parliament website.
The delegation led by Ireland North West MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher also included Gay Mitchell, Emer Costello and Martina Anderson.
The President listened to the case put by the delegation and agreed to support the establishment of an Irish version of the European Parliament website. In practical terms, he will recommend to the Bureau of the European Parliament (comprised of the Vice-President’s and Questors) for this to be approved at its next meeting in early June.
The European Parliament website is currently produced in 22 out of the 23 official languages of the EU, all with the exception of Irish. Moreover, all other EU institutions including the European Commission and Council of Ministers have a website in Irish.
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP stated today: “I very much welcome the decision of the President and I am confident that the Irish version of the website will be up and running by the end of the year. The decision by President Schulz is a manifestation of his commitment to bringing the EU institutions closer to all its citizens. This is a major breakthrough and will reverse what was simply a matter of discrimination against the Irish language.”
In conclusion, all MEPs were high in their praise for President Schulz for his positive and pragmatic approach.
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