The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched its second Irish Language Scheme, which endeavours to deliver high-quality Irish language services to the public over the next three years.
The scheme has been developed to set out a standard approach across the organisation to the delivery of services in the Irish language. It takes account of the Government’s ’20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030’ and is in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003. As well as providing for the preparation, by public bodies, of a language scheme, this Act also requires public bodies to outline the measures to be adopted to ensure that any service not currently provided through the medium of the Irish language will be provided within an agreed timeframe.
Commenting on the Scheme, Chief Executive of the BAI, Michael O’Keeffe said: “The BAI’s Irish Language Scheme aims to contribute to an increase in the use and knowledge of the Irish language nationwide. As such, our scheme outlines a number of measures with which we endeavour to increase the visibility and quality of our Irish language service provision. This includes improving the services we provide to those wishing to develop Irish language programming through the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, and to broadcasters and members of the general public who wish to communicate with the BAI through the medium of Irish.”
He added: “While cognisant that the scheme is incremental and limited by available resources, the BAI intends to be proactive and is open to suggestions on how to further enhance and strengthen its Irish language services in the years ahead.”
The BAI’s Irish Language Scheme 2016-2019 is available for download here.
