Seven women who claim they were recruited as employees to update and promote the development of pre-primary school nursery groups have told the Circuit Civil Court that An Foras Teanga and An Comhchoiste Reamhscolaiochta had reneged on their job contracts. Judge Liam Devally yesterday adjourned an application by Mr Daithi Mac Carthaigh for court orders directing their reinstatement and payment of alleged salary arrears.
An Foras Teanga is the new north-south Irish language body set up less than a month ago under the Belfast Agreement. The group replaces Bord na Gaeilge under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999.
It is responsible for facilitating the promotion of the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages, and funding the Joint Committee for Irish Medium Pre-Schooling, An Comhchoiste Reamhscolaiochta.
After an exchange in Irish with counsel for the defence, Mr Seamus O Tuathail, Judge Devally adjourned the proceedings to facilitate talks. The content of the court proceedings will be translated for the Northern Ireland Arts and Heritage Minister, Mr Chris McGimpsey, a UUP member of the all-party executive.
Mr McGimpsey and the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, have joint responsibility for all-Ireland cultural development under the Belfast Agreement.
Mr Mac Carthaigh told the court that all-party settlement talks in the court proceedings were scheduled for next week.
The seven plaintiffs in the case had been engaged by An Comhchoiste Reamhscolaiochta to initiate and supervise development of nursery group facilities on an all-Ireland basis. The legal dispute centres on the question of whether they were taken on as employees, as they maintain, or as self-employed outside contractors.
The seven are Ms Hainread Ui Fhiaich, Corran Theach Mothain, Seanbhabhun, Tamlacht, Baile Atha Cliath (Tallaght, Dublin); Ms Mairead Ui Mhadoc, Pairc na nDair, Ceatharlach (Carlow); Ms Maire Mhic Niallais, Aras Cholm Cille, Ard na gCeapaire, Doire Beaga, Leitir Ceanainn, Tir Chonaill (Gweedore, Co Donegal); Ms Noil in Ui Riain, Kylebeg, Baile Nua, Aonach, Co Thiobraid Arann (Nenagh, Co Tipperary); Ms Pat de Brun, Gallarus, Baile na nGall, Tra Li, Co Chiarrai (Dingle, Co Kerry); Ms Aine O Dhulaing, Bothar Mobhi, Glasnaion, Baile Atha Cliath, (Glasnevin, Dublin) and Ms Brid Ui Lionaird, Cuan Oiligh, Clochar, Beal an Atha, Co Mhaigh Eo (Belmullet, Ballina, Co Mayo).