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Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., today (11 February 2004) announced that Mr. Rónán Ó Domhnaill has been nominated by the Government to be appointed by the President to the position of An Coimisinéir Teanga. The appointment will be made subject to resolutions being passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

Mr. Ó Domhnaill is from An Cheathrú Rua in Co. Galway. A graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, he has been political correspondent with Nuacht RTÉ/TG4 for the past seven years.

Announcing the Government's nomination, the Minister of State said: "I'm delighted that Mr. Ó Domhnaill has accepted the nomination to the position as the new Coimisinéir Teanga. He is held in high esteem by the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities in his capacity as a political correspondent and I am certain that his experience will greatly benefit him as An Coimisinéir Teanga."

21 expressions of interest were received for the position of An Coimisinéir Teanga from persons with a wide range of experience and Mr. Ó Domhnaill was chosen from amongst these. Mr. Ó Domhnaill will succeed Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin who will be resigning from his post on 23 February 2014.

An Coimisinéir Teanga is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003. Under section 20(3) of the Act, An Coimisinéir Teanga is appointed by the President of Ireland on the advice of the Government following resolutions passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann recommending the appointment.