Galway Bay fm newsroom - An Oireachtas committee on Irish Language is challenging NUI Galway on its decision to drop the Irish language fluency requirement for its new President.
The ad for the role was published on Holy Thursday, and does not refer to the Irish language as a requirement or a desired skill.
The only reference to Irish is the line which states that NUI Galway has a unique role in the Irish higher education sector to promote and support the Irish language and culture.
In addition, the advertising contractor has details of the role in brochure form - however, an Irish language version of the brochure is only available on request.
In a statement to Galway Bay fm news, the university has confirmed that it has received correspondence from the Oireachtas Committee on Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
It says the letter, asking it to reverse its decision to drop the requirement, was received after the ad for the President's role was published, and is currently being considered.
In the meantime, the university has set an application deadline of May 11th for the role, which will see the replacement of current president Dr Jim Browne, who's retiring.
Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly is a member of the oireachtas committee on Irish Language, the gaeltacht and the islands.
She says the fact that applicants have to request documentation in Irish from a bilingual university is 'appalling.'
