A number of Garda places for new recruits will be kept for people with fluent Irish following an investigation at a Donegal Garda station.
The investigation at Bunbeg Garda station in 2011 found that just one Garda out of nine could speak Irish fluently.
The office of the Irish Language Commissioner carried out the investigation after a complaint by a member of the public.
The Irish Language Commissioner (Coimisineir Tenga) Sean O Cuirreain told Donegal Daily that the situation at Bunbeg Garda station has improved greatly today.
Of the eleven Gardai now stationed in Gaoth Dobhair, six have fluent Irish, three have conversational Irish and two are taking Irish classes.
Commissioner O Cuirreain said he was very satisfied at the outcome of their investigation.
“I think it represents a great improvement. People living in Gaeltacht areas have a right to speak in Irish.
“The situation in Bunbeg obviously wasn’t acceptable but that has improved drastically and it is very welcome,” he said.
He also revealed that Gardai have now agreed to allocate a percentage of recruitment places to applicants with fluent Irish.
“All members of An Garda Siochana are expected to have a certain level of Irish.
“However An Garda Siochana have now agreed that a certain allocation of places will be given to fluent Irish speakers.
“These applicants will be then be posted to Gaeltacht areas across the country including Galway, Cork, Mayo and Donegal,” he said.
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