Millward Brown Poll reveals 70% in south and 54% in the north want state services in Irish
A survey of over 1,000 adults over the age of 15 in the Republic and over 1,000 adults over 16 in the north conducted on behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge by Millward Brown has revealed that a majority of citizens, in both juristictions, believe that services provided by the state should the available through Irish for those who choose to use them.
In the south, 70% of the population believe services in Irish should be provided with only 13% opposed, while in the north 54% are in favour of services in Irish with only 26% opposed.
Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill, President of Conradh na Gaeilge said: "These poll results are of historical significance, as they show the extent of the cross-community support for the Irish language both north and south."
He continued "We expect that the public’s appreciation of the importance of the provision of state services in the Irish language will be respected by all parties involved in the consultation process on the Irish Language Act in the north, and in the amendments to the Official Languages Act 2003 Act in the south which will be decided in the coming weeks."
Millward Brown also looked at people’s confidence in understanding Irish (8% in the North compared to 35% in the south) and speaking Irish (5% in the north compared to 26% in the south). 44% percent of those surveyed in the south would like to have the opportunity to learn or to learn more Irish, while almost one third of the population in the north are interested in doing so.
