Peelers and a cúpla focal

News that the Policing Board in Derry will hold one of its meetings in Irish this Tuesday. There will be simultaneous translation for those not fluent in the Irish. The press release I received was in (faultless) Irish and referred, by the way, to Derry and not Londonderry. (Don’t tell Gregory Campbell!)

Being very cynical – can’t help it – I have to admit that I was momentarily taken aback. It is certainly another one of those arresting (!) moments that makes you think, a welcome step. That said, I pass many PSNI stations – have never been in one – and notice that they have signs in Polish and other Eastern European languages at the front. Nothing in Irish. If the Policing Board are serious about promoting the language, then why don’t they include information in Irish at the entrance as a matter of courtesy?

Anyway, here is the press release:

Cruinniú Gaeilge le bheith ag an Bhord Póilíneachta i nDoire

Tionólfaidh Bord Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann a chéad chruinniú poiblí Gaeilge sa Bhálseomra Corantach, Óstán na Cathrach, Doire, Dé Máirt 19ú Bealtaine 2009 ó 7.30 – 9.00in. Ag an chruinniú seo, beidh deis ag baill de phobal na Gaeilge comhaltaí den Bhord Póilíneachta agus an tArdchonstábla Cúnta don Réigiún Tuaithe a cheistiú faoi cheisteanna póilíneachta anois agus sa todhchaí agus faoi na nósanna imeachta atá ag BPTÉ le teacht níos éasca a bheith ag pobal na Gaeilge ar phóilíneacht. Tabharfaidh an Bord fosta breac-chuntas ar a chur chuige i leith Teagmhála Pobail agus ar an dóigh a bhfuil sé ag obair le codanna den phobal le pobail níos sábháilte a chruthú.