Spiddal native Séamas Ó Concheanainn has been chosen to take the role of the new Coimisinéir Teanga, the Language Commissioner.
The Coimisinéir Teanga is responsible for ensuring public bodies and state agencies fulfil their responsibilities to speakers of official languages, Irish and English.
Mr Ó Concheanainn is currently working as the Director of Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, and has been handling the Commissioner’s responsibilities since his predecessor resigned earlier this year.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill resigned as Commissioner in February in order to take up the role of Media Development Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán.
Séamas Ó Concheanainn has previous experience working in language legislation, higher education, language planning, and community development amongst other things.
He was also previously in various leadership positions at the University of Galway.
Minister Catherine Martin said, “I am pleased that the Government has accepted the recommendation that Mr Ó Concheanainn be appointed as the new Coimisinéir Teanga.”
“He is highly respected by the Irish language and Gaeltacht community because of the work he has done as Director of Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga since he was appointed there in 2020 as well as his previous work with the University of Galway.”
The Minister added that his previous experience will stand him well in his job as Coimisinéir Teanga.
Séamas Ó Concheanainn was chosen for the role following a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
A resolution on the government’s recommendation of him to the role will be put before the Oireachtas when it returns in Autumn.
