No grá for Irish officer post when roads are unravelling - Cllr

“What will a full-time Irish Language Officer do every day from 9:30am to 5pm for five days a week and 48 weeks a year?” was the question posed by Independent councillor Seamus Treanor much to the consternation of the Sinn Fein elected members at the June meeting of Monaghan County Council.

Cllr Treanor asked if a full-time employee is needed for such a role and suggested that the cost of the post, which he claimed could eventually command an annual salary of €70,000, would be better spent on road repairs.

Chief Executive Robert Burns defended the full-time appointment as necessary and justified, pointing out that the prioritisation of Irish language and culture was enshrined in the Council’s corporate plan as agreed by the elected members. Other councillors also spoke in favour of the appointment, which is currently being advertised.

Raising the issue, Cllr Treanor said that the Council previously had a part-time Irish Language Officer, Nial O’Connor, who carried out the role very well but has now moved on to other duties. Cllr Treanor felt another staff member could take responsibility for the function under their remit.

“There is a car park at Peter’s Lake, which is Monaghan Town’s biggest money-spinner for parking fees, and it needs nearly €100,000 spent on it and the council says they haven’t the money,” remarked Cllr Treanor.

He said he had proposed this money be taken from the Monaghan Municipal District’s property tax fund but he couldn’t get unanimity on this.

Cllr Treanor added that local schools are already doing a great job of Irish language promotion. “The people of the county speak English every day of the week and an Irish Language Officer will not change that,” he stated.

Other local authorities with a similar full-time role are located in Gaeltacht areas such as Donegal and Galway, the Independent representative claimed.

Cllr Treanor added: “If this appointment goes ahead, we will soon need officers for other languages. The last Census showed that Lithuanian is the second most spoken language in Monaghan.”

He asked for the appointment to be reconsidered.

Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) welcomed the full-time role, stating that it has been “long sought after by the members” and is required because of the increasing workload in the area of Irish language support and promotion.

His colleague, Cllr Pat Treanor, agreed, stating that the county’s Irish language community deserved “respect, support and service” as did the significantly increasing number of young Monaghan people who now speak Irish.

The Chief Executive said the appointment reflected the strength of Irish language and culture in County Monaghan, where the language is deeply embedded and there is a higher concentration of Gaelscoileanna than in many parts of the country.

According to the last Census figures, over 23,000 people in Monaghan, or 39% of the population, said they spoke Irish.

“Monaghan is regarded as a growing centre for the Irish language,” Mr Burns added, “and a place where Irish culture is flourishing.”

He noted, following the last local elections, the Council set up a new Strategic Policy Committee with a specific Irish language remit. “My job is to try to implement our policies and priorities,” he told the meeting.

The Chief Executive said Nial O’Connor has done a great job in the role but is now running a number of directorates and managing a Municipal District. “Having a dedicated Irish Language Officer will only help us,” Mr Burns insisted.

He noted Cllr Treanor’s sentiments around costs but there will always be priorities, and he thought it unfair to pit one thing against another. He agreed that the carpark mentioned does need resurfacing but Mr Burns didn't believe it right to put these two things together.

Cllr S. Treanor said he respects the CE’s point of view but money for roads is scarce. He said, in light of this appointment, he will have to think about whether to support the property tax rate that will be sought for next year.“I am getting it in the neck about the state of the carpark and Monaghan is the only MD to charge for parking. I know what the answer will be if you do a survey around Tyholland or Glaslough on whether people prefer €70,000 spent on roads or an Irish Language Officer.”

Cllr Niamh McCooey (SF) challenged Cllr Treanor to “go out and carry out the survey”.

Cllr Bronagh McAree also thought the Irish Language Officer role is very much needed to support those who wish to learn the language.

“It is great to see the County Council leading the way and we can’t set a precedent by taking money from a salary to put into roads or potholes.”