Deputy Pearse Doherty has expressed his disappointment at the announcement made today by Bank of Ireland that the bank intends to remove the Irish language option from its newer ATMs.
Urging the Bank to reverse its decision, Deputy Doherty said the decision undermines the rights of Irish language speakers.
“The decision by the Bank not to offer an Irish language option at new Bank of Ireland ATMs is a backward step in my view, and undermines the rights of Irish language speakers.
“The banking sector in general has been extremely poor at facilitating Irish language speakers and it’s impossible to get statements, online banking or any customer service in Irish anywhere.
“Bank of Ireland was unique in making an effort to simply facilitate the Irish language at its ATMs with an Irish option and showed its customers that it placed some value on the language.
“However, following today’s announcement, the Bank seems to be rowing back on this gesture and this shows a serious lack of consideration regarding the Irish language and the language rights of speakers.
“It’ is well known that the provision of Irish in branding, marketing and customer service is good for business and its usage is appreciated by both those who speak the language and those with little or no knowledge of the language.
“Questions still remain to be answered about the few banking services and ATMs which are available in Gaeltacht areas and whether or not this decision will affect them also.
“I would now encourage customers to let their dissatisfaction be made known by contacting the company to object to this decision.”
Tá Díomá léirithe ag Pearse Doherty T.D. ag Cinneadh Banc na hÉireann deireadh a chur lena Seirbhísí Gaeilge ar UBManna
Léirigh urlabhraí Airgeadais Shinn Féin Pearse Doherty T.D. a dhíomá ag an cinneadh a bhí fógartha ag Banc na hÉireann inniú chun deireadh a chur lena seirbhísí Gaeilge mar theanga roghnach ar a gcuid UBManna úra.
Maíonn Teachta Doherty go mba chóir don Bhanc athmhachnamh a dhéanamh ar an chinneadh.
Dúirt Teachta Doherty:
“Tá mise den thuairim gur céim siar é an cinneadh seo atá á dhéanamh ag Banc na hÉireanna chun seirbhísí Ghaeilge a bhaint amach as a gcuid UBManna úra, agus tá dímheasa ar an Ghaeilge á léiriú ag an Bhanc fosta mar sin de.
“Tá an earnáil baincéireachta i nginearálta go dona maidir le héascaíocht a dhéanamh do Ghaeilgeoirí an teanga a úsáid, agus tá sé do-dhéanta ráitis a fháil, baincéireacht ar líne a dhéanamh nó seirbhís custaiméara a fháil trí Ghaeilge.
“Bhí Banc na hÉireann go sainiúil ó thaobh an seasamh a bhí glactha acu chun an Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil mar theanga roghnach sna UBManna; seasamh a chuaigh i bhfeidhm go mór ar chustaiméirí.
“Faraor, tá achan cuma ar an scéal anois go bhfuil an Banc ag dul siar air seo, agus tá cluais bodhar á thabhairt acu dá gcustaiméirí mar sin de.
“Nuair a chuirtear an Ghaeilge san áireamh i gcúrsaí brandála, margaíochta agus seirbhís custaiméara , téann sé seo i bhfeidhm ar an phobal i gcoitinne, fiú muna bhfuil Gaeilge acu.
“Tá ceisteanna fós le freagairt maidir leis an dornán seirbhísí agus uathmheaisíní airgid atá ar fáil i gceantair Ghaeltachta – an gcuirfidh an cinneadh seo as dóibh fosta?
“Mholfainn do chustaiméirí teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an chomhlacht anois chun a míshástachta a chur in iúl.”
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