Irish Sign Language was given official recognition in 2017. The "Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016" passed all stages in the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) on 14 December 2017, and was signed into law by the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins on 24 December 2017.[1][2] Prior to 2017, there was no automatic right for deaf people to have an ISL interpreter (except for criminal court proceedings).