Appointment of new Language Commissioner
March 13, 2014
Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins yesterday appointed Mr. Rónán Ó Domhnaill as An Coimisinéir Teanga.
Originally from An Cheathrú Rua, Ó Domhnaill (38) spent seven years as Political Correspondent with Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 and as a member of RTÉ’s Political Unit.
Ó Domhnaill succeeds former Commissioner Seán Ó Cuirreáin, who announced his resignation from the post on 4th December 2013 stating that there was little else he could personally achieve in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities. Ó Cuirreáin referenced the lack of implementation and the low standard of the language scheme system, the lack of competence in Irish throughout the state service, and the government’s decision to merge the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga with the Office of the Ombudsman as factors contributing to his decision.
Mr Ó Domhnaill said that it was an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the country’s second ever Coimisinéir Teanga and stated his intention to protect the linguistic rights of Irish speakers without fear or favour, and to fulfil his legislative responsibilities with vigour and enthusiasm.
At the event in Áras an Uachtaráin, Mr Ó Domhnaill paid special tribute to his predecessor, Seán Ó Cuirreáin and expressed his gratitude to the staff in the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga for their warm welcome and also thanked the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, and the Government for nominating him as An Coimisinéir Teanga.
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