Irish Translation Forum

I have just sent off the following letter to

Ms Verona Ní Bhroinn, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas
info@oireachtas.irlgov.ie

and to

Mr. Leo Bollins
Principal Clerk, eDemocracy Unit, Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas
webmaster@oireachtas.irlgov.ie

concerning the website of Dáil Éireann -
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?Us ... =/home.asp


I followed a link from the website of the Scottish Parliament to your website. The Scottish website has made a strong commitment to Gaelic/English bilingualism -
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/l ... /index.htm

The Welsh Assembly is even more bilingually conscientious -
http://www.cymru.gov.uk/index.htm

I am therefore astounded and depressed that your website appears to be bilingual in headings only (I do see the document downloads available in Irish - presented as "add-ons")! I had to click back & forth several times before I convinced myself that really truly when your site offers the choice of "Gaeilge", it actually means "English-again-but-this-time-with-Irish-linkheadings".

These three websites are obviously logged onto by a vast diaspora of emigrés abroad. I simply cannot fathom how a sovereign country such as yours can allow itself be so surpassed in these everyday matters by mere devolved legislatures. Unless your stance is INTENDED to send out the signal to the world (which it most certainly does send out) that though a word of token Irish may be required "above the door", only English can expect to get a foot over the threshold of Irish Government. There are so many mysteries in life....

way to go, a chara!!

Yee haw! You tell 'em!

Redwolf

that's the spirit

I find it heart-breaking that the Irish government doesn't even pay lip-service to the official language of the country. I'm not sitting here conceited because the language situation is better here either. All the remaining Celtic languages are under threat, including Welsh, but if any body should support and promote Irish it's the Irish government.
I'm glad that our little Assembly, which has even less powers than the Scottish Parliament, shows its support for our language, although it's not all milk and honey here believe me. But I am so disappointed to see the website of the Dáil that words almost fail me. One that comes to mind is lamentable.

Message intentionally deleted by the author because he’s a pathetic useless thing with no self-esteem but loads of neuroses and resentments.

And I'm still annoyed that RnaG hasn't replied to my mail...probably because I live too far away for their "adverts" to be worth it

If they only knew that I did it to get stickers for ye

Méabh wrote:And I'm still annoyed that RnaG hasn't replied to my mail...probably because I live too far away for their "adverts" to be worth it

If they only knew that I did it to get stickers for ye

Don't worry, you can have my T-shirt - it's too small for me anyway.

Message intentionally deleted by the author because he’s a pathetic useless thing with no self-esteem but loads of neuroses and resentments.

I don't see MacFhionn as one of those "look at me" types. I think he honestly thought we'd be interested in what he wrote, since he posted the Scottish version of the other homepage the other day.