A chara, - Further to An Irishman's Diary of September 14th, I must commend Michael McDowell's initiative to recruit gardaí from Ireland's ethnic communities so that the force may be representative of all the people of Ireland. This shows a linguistic and cultural awareness which will augment policing in general.
On the issue of our national and first official language, it is manifest that not every garda need be an "authority" on Irish. However, in the legal and constitutional context, it is essential that every garda have a working, communicative command of it to deal effectively with the public through Irish: to give and receive directions, to take names and addresses, to take a sample of a person's breath, to give a caution, etc, and to converse freely on duty-related topics.
This level of proficiency is level B2 on the Common European Scale, and can easily be achieved over the recruits' two-year training period. Higher levels of competence can be required for postings through Irish or in the Gaeltacht.
If every garda cannot communicate with the public through Irish, the language will be marginalised. For example, a person who speaks Irish to a garda might be ordered to speak English on pain of arrest.
This recruiting initiative presents the Minister with an opportunity to carry into effect on a practical and realistic basis Government and Garda policy on Irish.
On a more fundamental level, Irish presents us with an opportunity to promote an Irish identity beyond creed or skin colour: garda recruits should not be shut out from Irish because of their ethnic background. - Yours, etc,
DÁITHÍ MAC CÁRTHAIGH, Uachtarán/President, Conradh na Gaeilge, Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2.