An Chairt Eorpach Do An Chairt Eorpach Do Theangacha Réigiunacha nó Theangacha Réigiunacha nó

MionlachMionlach

The European Charter for The European Charter for Regional or Minority LanguagesRegional or Minority Languages

Monatóireacht leanúnach déanta ag POBAL Monatóireacht leanúnach déanta ag POBAL ó 2001 / ó 2001 / Ongoing monitoring of the Charter Ongoing monitoring of the Charter by POBAL since 2001by POBAL since 2001

Dhá thuairisc substaintiúil curtha isteach / Dhá thuairisc substaintiúil curtha isteach / two substantial reports submittedtwo substantial reports submitted

Tagairtí don obair s’againne i dtuarisci na Tagairtí don obair s’againne i dtuarisci na Saineolaithe / Saineolaithe / references to our work in the references to our work in the Experts’ reportsExperts’ reports

Uirlís idirnáisiúnta í an Chairt, sínithe agus Uirlís idirnáisiúnta í an Chairt, sínithe agus daignithe ag rialtas na Breataine / daignithe ag rialtas na Breataine / Charter is Charter is an international instrument signed and an international instrument signed and ratified by the British governmentratified by the British government

Aitheantas faoi Chuid III don Ghaeilge / Aitheantas faoi Chuid III don Ghaeilge / Recognition under Part III for IrishRecognition under Part III for Irish

36 paragraf roghnaithe don Ghaeilge / 36 paragraf roghnaithe don Ghaeilge / 36 36 paragraphs selected for Irishparagraphs selected for Irish

Íosmhéadach / Íosmhéadach / minimalisticminimalistic Roghnaíodh na codanna is laigeRoghnaíodh na codanna is laige / weakest options / weakest options

selectedselected Fás agus forbairt ar phobal na Gaeilge ó 2001 /Fás agus forbairt ar phobal na Gaeilge ó 2001 /

growth and development of community since 2001growth and development of community since 2001 Intuigthe sa Chairt gur chóir freastal cuí a Intuigthe sa Chairt gur chóir freastal cuí a

dhéanamh ar gach teangadhéanamh ar gach teanga / Charter demands / Charter demands appropriate provision for each languageappropriate provision for each language

Daighniú níos laidre déanta don Bhreatnais agus Daighniú níos laidre déanta don Bhreatnais agus do Ghaidhlig / do Ghaidhlig / stronger ratification for both Welsh stronger ratification for both Welsh and Gaidhligand Gaidhlig

Cosaint eile sa reachtaíocht don dhá theanga seo Cosaint eile sa reachtaíocht don dhá theanga seo ceanna féin / ceanna féin / other legislative protections already other legislative protections already in place for these two languagesin place for these two languages

Daighniú níos laidre de dhíth leis an bhearna a Daighniú níos laidre de dhíth leis an bhearna a dhruidim idir an Ghaeilge agus an Bhreatnais agus dhruidim idir an Ghaeilge agus an Bhreatnais agus an Ghaidhlig / an Ghaidhlig / stronger ratification needed to close stronger ratification needed to close gapgap

De réir na Cairte, caithfear cur leis na De réir na Cairte, caithfear cur leis na deiseanna atá ag an phobal an teanga a deiseanna atá ag an phobal an teanga a úsáid / úsáid / the Charter is all about creating the Charter is all about creating greater chances to use the languagegreater chances to use the language

Tá rialtas na Breataine ag ullmhú tuairisce Tá rialtas na Breataine ag ullmhú tuairisce s’aige do Choiste na Saineolaithe faoi s’aige do Choiste na Saineolaithe faoi láthair/ láthair/ British government is now working British government is now working on its third report to the Expertson its third report to the Experts

Cuidíonn na moltaí seo le héileamh phobal na Cuidíonn na moltaí seo le héileamh phobal na Gaeilge d’Acht na Gaeilge / Gaeilge d’Acht na Gaeilge / these proposals these proposals complement the community demand for Irish complement the community demand for Irish language Actlanguage Act

Tá Acht na Breatnaise sa BB, agus Acht na Tá Acht na Breatnaise sa BB, agus Acht na Gaidhlig in Alban chomh maith le haitheantas faoi Gaidhlig in Alban chomh maith le haitheantas faoi Pháirt III den Chairt / Pháirt III den Chairt / In Wales there is the Welsh In Wales there is the Welsh Language Act and in Scotland the Gaelic Language Act and in Scotland the Gaelic Language Act in addition to the Part III protection Language Act in addition to the Part III protection of the Charterof the Charter

Article 8 – EducationArticle 8 – Education 1. With regard to education, the Parties undertake, 1. With regard to education, the Parties undertake,

within the territory in which such languages are within the territory in which such languages are used, according to the situation of each of these used, according to the situation of each of these languages, and without prejudice to the teaching languages, and without prejudice to the teaching of the official language(s) of the State:of the official language(s) of the State:

aa ii to make available pre-school to make available pre-school education in the relevant regional or minority education in the relevant regional or minority languages; languages;

bb ii to make available primary to make available primary education in the relevant regional or minority education in the relevant regional or minority languages; languages;

MOLTAÍ POBAL PROPOSALS

cc ii to make available secondary education to make available secondary education in the relevant regional or minority languages; in the relevant regional or minority languages;

dd ii to make available technical and to make available technical and vocational education in the relevant regional or vocational education in the relevant regional or minority languages; minority languages;

ee ii to make available university and to make available university and other higher education in regional or minority other higher education in regional or minority languages; languages;

ff ii to arrange for the provision of to arrange for the provision of adult and continuing education courses which are adult and continuing education courses which are taught mainly or wholly in the regional or minority taught mainly or wholly in the regional or minority languages;languages;

gg to make arrangements to ensure the to make arrangements to ensure the teaching of the history and the culture which is teaching of the history and the culture which is reflected by the regional or minority language;reflected by the regional or minority language;

hh to provide the basic and further training of to provide the basic and further training of the teachers required to implement those of the teachers required to implement those of paragraphs a to g accepted by the Party;paragraphs a to g accepted by the Party;

ii to set up a supervisory body or bodies to set up a supervisory body or bodies responsible for monitoring the measures taken and responsible for monitoring the measures taken and progress achieved in establishing or developing the progress achieved in establishing or developing the teaching of regional or minority languages and for drawing teaching of regional or minority languages and for drawing up periodic reports of their findings, which will be made up periodic reports of their findings, which will be made public.public.

22 With regard to education and in respect of With regard to education and in respect of territories other than those in which the regional or territories other than those in which the regional or minority languages are traditionally used, the Parties minority languages are traditionally used, the Parties undertake, if the number of users of a regional or undertake, if the number of users of a regional or minority language justifies it, to allow, encourage or minority language justifies it, to allow, encourage or provide teaching in or of the regional or minority provide teaching in or of the regional or minority language at all the appropriate stages of education. language at all the appropriate stages of education.

These 7 paragraphs and subparagraphs are additional to the These 7 paragraphs and subparagraphs are additional to the current ratified clauses 1g, 1h, 2, shown in bold above. Note current ratified clauses 1g, 1h, 2, shown in bold above. Note that the UK has presently ratified options in paragraphs 1a to that the UK has presently ratified options in paragraphs 1a to 1f, but these are “weaker” than the options which we are 1f, but these are “weaker” than the options which we are recommending here.recommending here.

10 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total under Article 10 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total under Article 8.8.

Article 9 – Judicial authoritiesArticle 9 – Judicial authorities 11 The Parties undertake, in respect of those The Parties undertake, in respect of those

judicial districts in which the number of residents using the judicial districts in which the number of residents using the regional or minority languages justifies the measures regional or minority languages justifies the measures specified below, according to the situation of each of these specified below, according to the situation of each of these languages and on condition that the use of the facilities languages and on condition that the use of the facilities afforded by the present paragraph is not considered by the afforded by the present paragraph is not considered by the judge to hamper the proper administration of justice:judge to hamper the proper administration of justice:

aa in criminal proceedings:in criminal proceedings: iiii to guarantee the accused the to guarantee the accused the

right to use his/her regional or minority language; and/orright to use his/her regional or minority language; and/or

iiiiii to provide that requests and evidence, to provide that requests and evidence, whether written or oral, shall not be considered whether written or oral, shall not be considered inadmissible solely because they are formulated in inadmissible solely because they are formulated in a regional or minority language; and/ora regional or minority language; and/or

iviv to produce, on request, to produce, on request, documents connected with legal proceedings in documents connected with legal proceedings in the relevant regional or minority language,the relevant regional or minority language,

if necessary by the use of if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations involving no extra interpreters and translations involving no extra expense for the persons concernexpense for the persons concern

bb in civil proceedings:in civil proceedings: iiii to allow, whenever a to allow, whenever a

litigant has to appear in person before a court, that litigant has to appear in person before a court, that he or she may use his or her regional or minority he or she may use his or her regional or minority language without thereby incurring additional language without thereby incurring additional expense; and/orexpense; and/or

iiiiii to allow documents and to allow documents and evidence to be produced in the regional or minority evidence to be produced in the regional or minority languages, if necessary by the use of interpreters languages, if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations;and translations;

cc in proceedings before courts concerning in proceedings before courts concerning administrative matters:administrative matters:

iiii to allow, whenever a to allow, whenever a litigant has to appear in person before a court, that litigant has to appear in person before a court, that he or she may use his or her regional or minority he or she may use his or her regional or minority language without thereby incurring additional language without thereby incurring additional expense; and/orexpense; and/or

iiiiii to allow documents and to allow documents and evidence to be produced in the regional or minority evidence to be produced in the regional or minority languages, if necessary by the use of interpreters languages, if necessary by the use of interpreters and translations; and translations;

dd to take steps to ensure that the to take steps to ensure that the application of sub-paragraphs i and iii of application of sub-paragraphs i and iii of paragraphs b and c above and any paragraphs b and c above and any necessary use of interpreters and necessary use of interpreters and translations does not involve extra expense translations does not involve extra expense for the persons concerned.for the persons concerned.

22 The Parties undertake:The Parties undertake: aa not to deny the validity of legal not to deny the validity of legal

documents drawn up within the State solely because they are documents drawn up within the State solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language; drafted in a regional or minority language;

bb not to deny the validity, as between the not to deny the validity, as between the parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language, because they are drafted in a regional or minority language, and to provide that they can be invoked against interested and to provide that they can be invoked against interested third parties who are not users of these languages on third parties who are not users of these languages on condition that the contents of the document are made known condition that the contents of the document are made known to them by the person(s) who invoke(s) it; to them by the person(s) who invoke(s) it;

cc not to deny the validity, as between the not to deny the validity, as between the parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely parties, of legal documents drawn up within the country solely because they are drafted in a regional or minority language.because they are drafted in a regional or minority language.

33 The parties undertake to make available The parties undertake to make available in the regional or minority languages the most in the regional or minority languages the most important national statutory texts and those important national statutory texts and those relating particularly to users of these relating particularly to users of these languages unless they are otherwise provided. languages unless they are otherwise provided.

These 11 paragraphs and These 11 paragraphs and subparagraphs are to be ratified in addition to the subparagraphs are to be ratified in addition to the existing ratified subparagraph, paragraph 3, existing ratified subparagraph, paragraph 3, shown in bold above.shown in bold above.

12 paragraphs /subparagraphs in total under 12 paragraphs /subparagraphs in total under Article 9.Article 9.

Article 10 – Administrative authorities and public servicesArticle 10 – Administrative authorities and public services 11 Within the administrative districts of the State in Within the administrative districts of the State in

which the number of residents who are users of regional or which the number of residents who are users of regional or minority languages justifies the measures specified below and minority languages justifies the measures specified below and according to the situation of each language, the Parties according to the situation of each language, the Parties undertake, as far as this is reasonably possible:undertake, as far as this is reasonably possible:

aa ii to ensure that the administrative to ensure that the administrative authorities use the regional or minority languages;authorities use the regional or minority languages;

bb to make available widely used to make available widely used administrative texts and forms for the population in the regional administrative texts and forms for the population in the regional or minority languages or in bilingual versions;or minority languages or in bilingual versions;

cc to allow the administrative authorities to to allow the administrative authorities to draft documents in a regional or minority languagedraft documents in a regional or minority language ..

22 In respect of the local and regional authorities on In respect of the local and regional authorities on whose territory the number of residents who are users of whose territory the number of residents who are users of regional or minority languages is such as to justify the regional or minority languages is such as to justify the measures specified below, the Parties undertake to allow measures specified below, the Parties undertake to allow and/or encourage:and/or encourage:

aa the use of regional or minority languages the use of regional or minority languages within the framework of the regional or local authority;within the framework of the regional or local authority;

bb the possibility for users of regional or the possibility for users of regional or minority languages to submit oral or written applications minority languages to submit oral or written applications in these languagesin these languages;;

cc the publication by regional authorities of the publication by regional authorities of their official documents also in the relevant regional or their official documents also in the relevant regional or minority languages;minority languages;

dd the publication by local authorities of their official documents the publication by local authorities of their official documents also also in the relevant regional or minority languages;in the relevant regional or minority languages;

ee the use by regional authorities of the use by regional authorities of regional or minority languages in debates in their regional or minority languages in debates in their assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the official language(s) of the State;official language(s) of the State;

ff the use by local authorities of the use by local authorities of regional or minority languages in debates in their regional or minority languages in debates in their assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the assemblies, without excluding, however, the use of the official language(s) of the State;official language(s) of the State;

gg the use or adoption, if necessary in the use or adoption, if necessary in conjunction with the name in the official language(s), conjunction with the name in the official language(s), of traditional and correct forms of place-names in of traditional and correct forms of place-names in regional or minority languagesregional or minority languages

33 With regard to public services provided by the With regard to public services provided by the administrative authorities or other persons acting on their administrative authorities or other persons acting on their behalf, the Parties undertake, within the territory in which behalf, the Parties undertake, within the territory in which regional or minority languages are used, in accordance regional or minority languages are used, in accordance with the situation of each language and as far as this is with the situation of each language and as far as this is reasonably possible:reasonably possible:

aa to ensure that the regional or minority to ensure that the regional or minority languages are used in the provision of the service; languages are used in the provision of the service;

44 With a view to putting into effect those With a view to putting into effect those provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 accepted by them, the provisions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 accepted by them, the Parties undertake to take one or more of the following Parties undertake to take one or more of the following measures:measures:

aa translation or interpretation as may translation or interpretation as may be required;be required;

bb recruitment and, where recruitment and, where necessary, training of the officials and other necessary, training of the officials and other public service employees required;public service employees required;

cc compliance as far as compliance as far as possible with requests from public service possible with requests from public service employees having a knowledge of a regional employees having a knowledge of a regional or minority language to be appointed in the or minority language to be appointed in the territory in which that language is used.territory in which that language is used.

55 The Parties undertake to allow the use or The Parties undertake to allow the use or adoption of family names in the regional or minority adoption of family names in the regional or minority languages, at the request of those concernedlanguages, at the request of those concerned..

These 8 paragraphs or subparagraphs to be ratified in These 8 paragraphs or subparagraphs to be ratified in place of current ratified paragraphs and in addition to place of current ratified paragraphs and in addition to current ratified subparagraphs 1c, 2b, 2e, 2f, 2g, 4a, 5 current ratified subparagraphs 1c, 2b, 2e, 2f, 2g, 4a, 5 shown in bold above. Note that the UK has presently shown in bold above. Note that the UK has presently ratified options in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, but these are ratified options in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, but these are “weaker” than the options which we are recommending “weaker” than the options which we are recommending here.here.

15 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total under 15 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total under Article 10Article 10

Article 11 – MediaArticle 11 – Media 11 The Parties undertake, for the users of the The Parties undertake, for the users of the

regional or minority languages within the territories in which regional or minority languages within the territories in which those languages are spoken, according to the situation of those languages are spoken, according to the situation of each language, to the extent that the public authorities, each language, to the extent that the public authorities, directly or indirectly, are competent, have power or play a directly or indirectly, are competent, have power or play a role in this field, and respecting the principle of the role in this field, and respecting the principle of the independence and autonomy of the media:independence and autonomy of the media:

aa to the extent that radio and television to the extent that radio and television carry out a public service mission:carry out a public service mission:

iiiiii to make adequate provision so that to make adequate provision so that broadcasters offer programmes in the regional broadcasters offer programmes in the regional or minority languages;or minority languages;

bb ii to encourage and/or to encourage and/or facilitate the creation of at least one radio station facilitate the creation of at least one radio station in the regional or minority languages; orin the regional or minority languages; or

cc iiii to encourage and/or to encourage and/or facilitate the broadcasting of television facilitate the broadcasting of television programmes in the regional or minority languages programmes in the regional or minority languages on a regular basis;on a regular basis;

dd to encourage and / or facilitate the production to encourage and / or facilitate the production and distribution of audio and audio-visual works in the and distribution of audio and audio-visual works in the regional or minority languages;regional or minority languages;

ee ii to encourage and / or to encourage and / or facilitate the creation and / or maintenance of at least facilitate the creation and / or maintenance of at least one newspaper in the regional or minority languages;one newspaper in the regional or minority languages;

ff ii to cover the additional costs of to cover the additional costs of those media which use regional or minority languages, those media which use regional or minority languages, wherever the law provides for financial assistance in wherever the law provides for financial assistance in general for the media;general for the media;

gg to support the training of journalists to support the training of journalists and other staff for media using regional or minority and other staff for media using regional or minority languages.languages.

22 The Parties undertake to guarantee freedom of direct The Parties undertake to guarantee freedom of direct reception of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring reception of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in a language used in identical or similar form to a countries in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language, and not to oppose the regional or minority language, and not to oppose the retransmission of radio and television broadcasts from retransmission of radio and television broadcasts from neighbouring countries in such a language. They further undertake neighbouring countries in such a language. They further undertake to ensure that no restrictions will be placed on the freedom of to ensure that no restrictions will be placed on the freedom of expression and free circulation of information in the written press expression and free circulation of information in the written press in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or in a language used in identical or similar form to a regional or minority language. The exercise of the above-mentioned freedoms, minority language. The exercise of the above-mentioned freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing disclosure of information received in confidence, or for preventing disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

33 The Parties undertake to ensure that the The Parties undertake to ensure that the interests of the users of regional or minority languages are interests of the users of regional or minority languages are represented or taken into account within such bodies as represented or taken into account within such bodies as may be established in accordance with the law with may be established in accordance with the law with responsibility for guaranteeing the freedom and pluralism of responsibility for guaranteeing the freedom and pluralism of the media.the media.

These 5 paragraphs and subparagraphs to be ratified in These 5 paragraphs and subparagraphs to be ratified in addition to existing paragraphs and subparagraphs 1a (iii), addition to existing paragraphs and subparagraphs 1a (iii), 1d, 1e (i), g, 2, shown in bold above. Note that the UK has 1d, 1e (i), g, 2, shown in bold above. Note that the UK has presently ratified subparagraph 1 f (ii), but this is “weaker” presently ratified subparagraph 1 f (ii), but this is “weaker” than the option which we are recommending here.than the option which we are recommending here.

10 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total for Article 10 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total for Article 1111

Article 12 – Cultural activities and facilitiesArticle 12 – Cultural activities and facilities 11 With regard to cultural activities and facilities – With regard to cultural activities and facilities –

especially libraries, video libraries, cultural centres, especially libraries, video libraries, cultural centres, museums, archives, academies, theatres and cinemas, as museums, archives, academies, theatres and cinemas, as well as literary work and film production, vernacular forms of well as literary work and film production, vernacular forms of cultural expression, festivals and the culture industries, cultural expression, festivals and the culture industries, including including inter aliainter alia the use of new technologies – the Parties the use of new technologies – the Parties undertake, within the territory in which such languages are undertake, within the territory in which such languages are used and to the extent that the public authorities are used and to the extent that the public authorities are competent, have power or play a role in this field:competent, have power or play a role in this field:

aa to encourage types of expression and to encourage types of expression and initiative specific to regional or minority languages and initiative specific to regional or minority languages and foster the different means of access to works produced foster the different means of access to works produced in these languages;in these languages;

bb to foster the different means of access to foster the different means of access in other languages to works produced in regional in other languages to works produced in regional or minority languages by aiding and developing or minority languages by aiding and developing translation, dubbing, post-synchronisation and translation, dubbing, post-synchronisation and subtitling activities;subtitling activities;

cc to foster access in regional or to foster access in regional or minority languages to works produced in other minority languages to works produced in other languages by aiding and developing translation, languages by aiding and developing translation, dubbing, post-synchronisation and subtitling dubbing, post-synchronisation and subtitling activities;activities;

dd to ensure that the bodies responsible for to ensure that the bodies responsible for organising or supporting cultural activities of various organising or supporting cultural activities of various kinds make appropriate allowance for incorporating kinds make appropriate allowance for incorporating the knowledge and use of regional or minority the knowledge and use of regional or minority languages and cultures in the undertakings which they languages and cultures in the undertakings which they initiate or for which they provide backing;initiate or for which they provide backing;

ee to promote measures to ensure that to promote measures to ensure that the bodies responsible for organising or supporting the bodies responsible for organising or supporting cultural activities have at their disposal staff who have cultural activities have at their disposal staff who have a full command of the regional or minority language a full command of the regional or minority language concerned, as well as of the language(s) of the rest of concerned, as well as of the language(s) of the rest of the population;the population;

ff to encourage direct participation by to encourage direct participation by representatives of the users of a given regional representatives of the users of a given regional or minority language in providing facilities and or minority language in providing facilities and planning cultural activities;planning cultural activities;

h. h. if necessary create and / or if necessary create and / or promote and finance translation and promote and finance translation and terminological research services, particularly terminological research services, particularly with a view to maintaining and developing with a view to maintaining and developing administrative, commercial, economic, social, administrative, commercial, economic, social, technical or legal terminology in each regional technical or legal terminology in each regional or minority languageor minority language

22 In respect of territories other than In respect of territories other than those in which the regional or minority languages are those in which the regional or minority languages are traditionally used, the Parties undertake, if the number traditionally used, the Parties undertake, if the number of users of a regional or minority language justifies it, of users of a regional or minority language justifies it, to allow, encourage and/or provide appropriate cultural to allow, encourage and/or provide appropriate cultural activities and facilities in accordance with the activities and facilities in accordance with the preceding paragraph.preceding paragraph.

33 The Parties undertake to make appropriate The Parties undertake to make appropriate provision, in pursuing their cultural policy abroad, for provision, in pursuing their cultural policy abroad, for regional or minority languages and the cultures they regional or minority languages and the cultures they reflect.reflect.

These 2 paragraphs and subparagraphs to be ratified in These 2 paragraphs and subparagraphs to be ratified in addition to current paragraphs and subparagraphs 1a, 1d, addition to current paragraphs and subparagraphs 1a, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1h, 2, 3, marked in bold above.1e, 1f, 1h, 2, 3, marked in bold above.

9 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total in Article 129 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total in Article 12

Article 13 – Economic and social lifeArticle 13 – Economic and social life 11 With regard to economic and social With regard to economic and social

activities, the Parties undertake, within the whole activities, the Parties undertake, within the whole country:country:

aa to eliminate from their legislation to eliminate from their legislation any provision prohibiting or limiting without justifiable any provision prohibiting or limiting without justifiable reasons the use of regional or minority languages in reasons the use of regional or minority languages in documents relating to economic or social life, documents relating to economic or social life, particularly contracts of employment, and in particularly contracts of employment, and in technical documents such as instructions for the use technical documents such as instructions for the use of products or installations;of products or installations;

bb to prohibit the insertion in internal regulations of to prohibit the insertion in internal regulations of companies and private documents of any clauses companies and private documents of any clauses excluding or restricting the use of regional or minority excluding or restricting the use of regional or minority languages, at least between users of the same language;languages, at least between users of the same language;

cc to oppose practices designed to to oppose practices designed to discourage the use of regional or minority languages in discourage the use of regional or minority languages in connection with economic or social activities;connection with economic or social activities;

dd facilitate and / or encourage the use facilitate and / or encourage the use of regional or minority languages by means other than of regional or minority languages by means other than those specified in the above sub-paragraphsthose specified in the above sub-paragraphs

22 With regard to economic and social activities, the With regard to economic and social activities, the Parties undertake, in so far as the public authorities are competent, Parties undertake, in so far as the public authorities are competent, within the territory in which the regional or minority languages are within the territory in which the regional or minority languages are used, and as far as this is reasonably possible:used, and as far as this is reasonably possible:

aa to include in their financial and banking to include in their financial and banking regulations provisions which allow, by means of procedures compatible regulations provisions which allow, by means of procedures compatible with commercial practice, the use of regional or minority languages in with commercial practice, the use of regional or minority languages in drawing up payment orders (cheques, drafts, etc.) or other financial drawing up payment orders (cheques, drafts, etc.) or other financial documents, or, where appropriate, to ensure the implementation of documents, or, where appropriate, to ensure the implementation of such provisions;such provisions;

bb to prohibit the insertion in internal regulations to prohibit the insertion in internal regulations of companies and private documents of any clauses excluding or of companies and private documents of any clauses excluding or restricting the use of regional or minority languages, at least between restricting the use of regional or minority languages, at least between users of the same language;users of the same language;

cc to ensure that social care facilities to ensure that social care facilities such as hospitals, retirement homes and hostels such as hospitals, retirement homes and hostels offer the possibility of receiving and treating in offer the possibility of receiving and treating in their own language persons using a regional or their own language persons using a regional or minority language who are in need of care on minority language who are in need of care on grounds of ill-health, old age or for other reasons;grounds of ill-health, old age or for other reasons;

dd to facilitate and/or encourage the to facilitate and/or encourage the use of regional or minority languages by means use of regional or minority languages by means other than those specified in the above sub-other than those specified in the above sub-paragraphs;paragraphs;

ee to arrange for information provided by to arrange for information provided by the competent public authorities concerning the competent public authorities concerning the rights of consumers to be made the rights of consumers to be made available in regional or minority languages.available in regional or minority languages.

These 8 paragraphs and subparagraphs to These 8 paragraphs and subparagraphs to be ratified in addition to existing paragraph be ratified in addition to existing paragraph 1d1d. .

9 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total 9 paragraphs and subparagraphs in total for Article 13for Article 13

Article 14 – Transfrontier exchangesArticle 14 – Transfrontier exchanges The Parties undertake:The Parties undertake: 11 aa to apply existing bilateral and to apply existing bilateral and

multilateral agreements which bind them with the States in which multilateral agreements which bind them with the States in which the same language is used in identical or similar form, or if the same language is used in identical or similar form, or if necessary to seek to conclude such agreements, in such a way as necessary to seek to conclude such agreements, in such a way as to foster contacts between the users of the same language in the to foster contacts between the users of the same language in the States concerned in the fields of culture, education, information, States concerned in the fields of culture, education, information, vocational training and permanent education;vocational training and permanent education;

bb for the benefit of regional or for the benefit of regional or minority languages, to facilitate and/or promote co-operation minority languages, to facilitate and/or promote co-operation across borders, in particular between regional or local authorities across borders, in particular between regional or local authorities in whose territory the same language is used in identical or in whose territory the same language is used in identical or similar form.similar form.

As per current ratification as shown above in boldAs per current ratification as shown above in bold 2 subparagraphs in total for Article 142 subparagraphs in total for Article 14

Cuirfear na moltaí seo chuig / These proposals Cuirfear na moltaí seo chuig / These proposals will now go to: will now go to:

Gordon BrownGordon Brown David Milliband, Státrúnaí OGERADavid Milliband, Státrúnaí OGERA Peter Ricketts, Fó Rúnaí BuanPeter Ricketts, Fó Rúnaí Buan Shaun Woodward, Stat rúnaí TÉShaun Woodward, Stat rúnaí TÉ Edwin Poots, AireEdwin Poots, Aire Paul Sweeney, Runaí BuanPaul Sweeney, Runaí Buan Fochoiste Chultúir, Ealaíon agus FóillíochtaFochoiste Chultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta OFMDFM / OCALCAOFMDFM / OCALCA