Watch in
We aim to promote and improve access with Irish Sign Language (ISL) to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Oireachtas TV
ISL on Oireachtas TV
Get this week's listing of programmes broadcast on the Oireachtas TV channel.
Programmes that include ISL and subtitles are listed.
Our ISL services
- Live Oireachtas TV
-
We provide live interpretation of the following Oireachtas debates. Live interpretation is always subject to scheduling and can change at short notice.
Dáil Éireann
Leaders' Questions
Taoiseach's Questions
Questions on promised legislation
Seanad Éireann
Commencement matters
Committees
Public sittings of the Committee on Disability Matters
- Oireachtas TV productions
-
We provide interpretation of selected Oireachtas TV productions
- Around the Houses
- Oireachtas TV debates
- Other Oireachtas TV productions such as documentaries and specials
- Website pages
-
ISL videos are embedded in selected pages of the website.
- Tours of Leinster House
-
We provide ISL interpretation of public tours of Leinster House on request.
Tours of Leinster House are cancelled until further notice due to Covid-19. When we resume our public tours, you can contact the ISL team to arrange a tour with ISL.
- Other ISL services
-
We provide ISL interpretation for special events and educational and outreach programmes by the Houses of the Oireachtas. For example, we interpreted a special four-week politics course for students at the Holy Family School for the Deaf and the 2021 Seanad bye-elections count.
We have facilitated placements for students of the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin.
In a joint venture with the Centre for Deaf studies we are developing a new ISL glossary of parliamentary terminology.
We are providing ISL interpretation for the videos of the Machnamh 100 seminars held by President Michael D. Higgins. During 2021, President Higgins is hosting a series of seminars inviting reflections on the War of Independence, the Treaty Negotiations, the Civil War and Partition.
Recent videos with ISL interpretation
Around The Houses – April 2025 with ISL Interpretation
Irish Sign Language
Thu, 15 May 2025
A look back on some of the main events in the past month
Wed, 30 Apr 2025
Irish Sign Language
Leader's Questions and Other Members' Questions with ISL Interpretation
Meeting TDs and Senators with ISL interpretation
Members of the Deaf community If you would like to request a meeting with a TD or Senator, you will find contact details on the TDs & Senators page. Your TD or Senator may arrange ISL interpretation.
TDs and Senators You can use the Public Representation Allowance (PRA) element of the Parliamentary Standard Allowance (PSA) to meet the cost of ISL interpretation. Find out more on the Parliamentary Standard Allowance page or contact the One Stop Shop.
To find an interpreter, see the Directory of Interpreters on the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (RISLI) website. Public bodies must use a registered RISLI interpreter.
Day in the life of the ISL interpreters
Our ISL team work closely together to provide ISL interpretation and translation of Oireachtas debates, events and website content. Find out about a day in the life of the ISL interpreters.
Seanad
Commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017
Watch statements in the Seanad on the commencement of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.
The Act was commenced on 23 December 2020. It recognises ISL as a native language of the State.
Legislation
Irish Sign Language Act 2017
Watch an ISL translation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. The Act provides for the recognition of ISL, its use in legal proceedings and the provision of ISL interpretation by public bodies.
This ISL translation is not an official translation of the Act.
Amhrán na bhFiann
The National Anthem
Deaf children in a school in Bishopstown, Cork, spearheaded a project to create an official ISL translation of the Irish National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann. The ISL National Anthem was first performed in Leinster House in July 2018.
Cúpla focal
Useful phrases in ISL
TDs and Senators: would you like to use some ISL phrases in your speeches in the Houses?
See how to sign some commonly used phrases.
Contact details
If you have any comments or queries about our ISL services, please get in touch.
Communications Unit
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin
D02 XR20