IRISH and English should be recognised as the two official languages of the State, according to the Constitution Review Group in its final report due to be published later this week.
The review group is proposing a change in the status of Irish as the "national" and "first official" language. Vt is suggesting that English, the de facto first language, should be awarded equal recognition.
The group, chaired by Dr T.K. Whitaker, is recommending that a new Article 8, dealing with national language, should be written into the Constitution.
The proposed new article would read: "The Irish language and the English language are the two official languages. Because the Irish language is a unique expression of Irish tradition and culture, the State shall take special care to nurture the,, language and to increase its use.
This new wording would, in effect, abolish the position of Irish as the national language. The existing Article 8 reads: "(1) The Irish language as the national language is the first official language. (2) The English language is recognised as a second official language. (3) Provision may, however, be made by law for the exclusive use of either of the said languages for any one or more official purposes, either throughout the State or in any part thereof."
The proposed new article would restore Irish to a standing similar to what it held in the Free State Constitution in 1922. That document, in Article 4, said: "The national language of the Irish Free State... is the Irish language, but the English language shall be equally recognised as an official language."
The current article on the national language has led to a number of constitutional cases. The legal issues raised included the extent to which Irish may be used in court proceedings, the significance of describing Irish as - "the national language", the obligation on the State to translate official forms and whether knowledge of Irish may be made a necessary qualification for employment in the public sector.
The review group is also recommending an amendment to Article 4 of the Constitution dealing with the name of the State. Under its proposal, the new article would read: "Eire is ainm don Stat. The name of the State is Ireland." The current Article 4 states: "The name of the State is Eire, or in the English language, Ireland."
