Senator Mark Daly says that his legislation on Irish Sign Language (ISL), being debated tomorrow (Wednesday, 19th October) in Seanad Éireann will give ISL users full and proper recognition before law.
The 'Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill', which was published by Senator Daly and the Fianna Fáil grouping, will empower the Irish deaf community by placing ISL on a statutory basis.
"This bill, when passed, will we hope make a positive and meaningful difference to the quality of life for Irish Sign Language users," said Daly.
"When this bill is passed, it will also require the State to provide interpreting services for students who use Irish Sign Language, and would require every public body to devise and implement an action plan to promote the use of sign language within the organisation," added Daly.
"This is a sensible, pragmatic yet highly transformative piece of legislation. I am hopeful of cross-party support to bring it to the next stage of the legislative process.
"This is an important step in fully, and properly, integrating the deaf community into wider Irish society," concluded Senator Daly.