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02nd Sep 2018

RTÉ scraps plans to air Irish Sign Language version of national anthem before All-Ireland final

Carl Kinsella

ISL National Anthem

RTÉ has scrapped its plan to broadcast the national anthem through Irish Sign Language (ISL) ahead of today’s All-Ireland final.

In a statement published on Sunday afternoon, the state broadcaster said: “Signing ISL for Broadcast is a specialist skill and the number of signers is limited.”

“Over recent days, RTÉ has contacted many signers, both within and outside our rosters. Unfortunately no signer has been able to make themselves available for a full in-studio signing, which will now not take place.”

ISL is legally recognised as the official third language of Ireland.

A statement made by RTÉ, just two days ago, had said that arrangements were in place for the anthem to be performed through ISL.

“When covering the National Anthem, a central part of the build-up to a major event like the GAA All-Ireland Final, RTÉ seeks to reflect the occasion in its totality to our entire audience, by capturing a range of images, of the President, An Taoiseach, both sets of supporters, both sets of players and their management teams, the stadium (including aerial images), the band, the referee and match officials, as well as the ISL signer provided by the GAA.

“The arrangements now in place will ensure that viewers who wish to watch ISL signing of the National Anthem in full, throughout its two-minute duration, are accommodated.”

“RTÉ will also promote this addition to its coverage across its services in advance of Sunday’s live broadcast.”

The original statement followed a protest of over 100 people outside RTÉ studios in Cork and Dublin. The planned broadcast has now been scrapped.

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