BY RYAN FERRY
NAOMH Muire clubman Donal Ó Searcaigh is hopeful that two motions passed at the Donegal LGFA AGM last week will get national backing at the LGFA’s Congress in Carrick-on-Shannon next March.
Ó Searcaigh resigned from his role as Donegal LGFA’s Cultural and Language officer back in August.
The long-serving administrator was incensed when the LGFA refused to allow his club to hold a hearing as Gaeilge.
Ó Searcaigh and his club are determined to correct this wrong and submitted two motions to Donegal’s AGM.
They read as follows:
1. Add New Rule to Aims and Ethos of the official guide to read as follows
– Irish/English versions of the Official Guide.
The rules and codes of the association shall be published in Irish and English in total.
(“Foilseofar rialacha agus cóid an chumainn ina n-iomláine i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.”).
2. Add to existing rule of official guide 2025 Part 3. Rule 1.1 & Update official guide 2026 to reflect the following wording.
– It is the right of any member or unit in our association to request a hearing as Gaeilge to any matters covered by CODA rules. Any such requests must be granted and the National association must facilitate such requests by facilitating committees to hear requests.
(Tá an ceart ag baill nó Aonad ar bith d’ár gCumann éisteacht a lorg a bheadh déanta tré mheán na Gaeilge i gcás nithe ar bith clúdaithe faoi rialacha CODA.
Caithfear aon iarratas dá leithéid a cheadú, agus ní mór don Chumann Náisiúnta éascaíocht a chur ar fáil chun na hiarratais sin a éisteacht trí choistí a chur ar fáil chun iad a láimhseáil).
The first motion passed with flying colours on a vote of 71-0, but the second motion was not supported as strongly, with 45 in favour and nine against.
Ó Searcaigh is at pains to point out that the second motion is not about the creation of a loophole.
“In the country of Ireland what would possess a person to object to Equality for the Irish language and the rights enshrined under our constitution under 8.1? (Irish as the first language).
“These rights are for all citizens of our country, not as some would think only for people living in Gaeltacht communities.
“The fear of systems of hearings being abused by chancers is there for sure.
“And that has to be recognised but the rights of the members who wish to get a hearing as Gaeilge in good faith must also be recognised, as it is not there at present.
“The genuine people/members not trying to obstruct, but only looking for their rights as Gaelic speakers will have no bother going in front of any committee as Gaeilge as they will be doing their natural thing speaking as Gaeilge – their first language – to the panel.
He added: “We have to see that these rights are not reflected in the present official guide.
“We cannot split hairs on this, the rights of the Irish to work and be heard as Gaeilge is everyone’s rights.
“We need to try and get a rule in place because as we stand we are open to ridicule as it is only talking about it, rather than supporting the Irish language in the situation we are in at present.”
Ó Searcaigh is adamant that his club were never trying to get out of a hearing or looking to abuse the system.
There is no cynical agenda at play and he hopes clubs and counties throughout the country take that into consideration in the coming months.
“The thing is, this is not a single small club in West Donegal issue or mine alone, this is a nationwide issue for every LGFA member and every club in Ireland, they should see this as their issue as well. It’s an issue that needs to be put right by us all. When the rulebook was put to the test, it was found wanting – that is the big one!
“I have heard some suggestions than an interpreter could be used for panels who do not have Irish.
“This to me and a lot of others would be unthinkable and farcical – sticking plaster solution.
“The idea of a respondent having to speak as Gaeilge to the panel and then the interpreter relaying it in English is totally doolally.
“The human factor is completely gone in that situation, there would be no empathy whatsoever with respondents and the panel at all.
“If members wish their hearing to be held as Gaeilge then the panel of three or four should be competent to hear the hearing as Gaeilge.
“Just say the interpreter gets it wrong and delivers the wrong sentiment expressed, then it’s appeal, appeal, appeal.
“This is Ireland we live in – not anywhere else, such a suggestion is ludicrous.
“Say someone took a legal challenge on this, it would be interesting how it would land that’s for sure.
“The idea of a national or provincial panel competent to hear the hearing completely as Gaeilge is the solution in my opinion.
“We are showing a way forward as initial steps to get over the impasse that is here at the minute.
“We are making a good faith attempt to help all sides.
“We could throw it open to the legal eagles, Irish language groups, Sport Ireland but that is not the way forward for this issue.
“As I said, all members and all clubs can solve it by backing our motions nationwide going to Congress.
“But from the rumblings I am hearing, we are only troublemakers according to some, trying to stall hearings, cause bother where there is none, that’s what we are up against. Cosy rooms wanting to stay cosy.
“Some even saying let them run with it, we’ll show them when it goes to congress. Laughable stuff really but it’s out there.
“Ladies Gaelic Football has a nice ring to it, think on the word Gaelic. Take it away and have Ladies Irish Football Association, would it be problem solved? A dilemma for sure.”
