1. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Dr. Annette Schiller Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association / Cumann Aistritheoirì agus Teangairì na hÈireann (ITIA) TRAFUT Workshop, Antwerp, 19 October 2012

2. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland General Situation Unregulated No minimum standards No testing of INT/TR No prioritisation of qualified INT/TR Very low pay

3. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Courts Service First contract 2007, next one February 2013 One provider for entire country One day’s training No testing, no quality control on site Quality in many cases questionable Two main differences since 2007 contract: – country now divided into four regions, 3 or 4 providers in each region – mention of interpreting qualification (Level 4) removed from tender document

4. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Courts Service New Top level (3 of 3) specifies: “The person is a Native Speaker of English with a Third Level Qualification in the language concerned, OR a Native Speaker of the language concerned with a Third Level Qualification in English”.

5. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Courts Service For the purposes of this document, “Third Level Qualification” means a qualification awarded by a University, Institute of Technology or Higher / Further Education and Training Council that is recognised as falling within or being equivalent to a Level 6 – Level 10 qualification

6. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Gardai Outsourced, country divided into 6 regions No testing, no quality control Next tender 2013 New: consultation with stakeholders Lack of regulating framework

7. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Department of Justice No change required to implement Directive No issues with quality or training Apparently, the ITIA accredits TR companies and individual TR Fundamental lack of understanding of the issue Other bodies (e.g. Courts Service) would like to see leadership on this issue from DoJ

8. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland ITIA would welcome a National Interpreting & Translation Authority Provide a coherent policy and clear direction Uniformity across all departments Set standards Register of qualified interpreters/translators Monitor demand, plan accordingly

9. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland ITIA Improved and consistent quality through Professional standards Testing Accreditation Commitment to use qualified, accredited INT/TR

10. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland ITIA Training Undergrad/Postgrad level Continuing Professional Development Training for all staff who work with INT/TR Phased in prior to compulsory accreditation

11. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland ITIA introduced “ITIA Certified Translator“ Only members of “Professional” Category At least 5 years experience Includes stringent TR exam, external assessors Set the bar very high, pass rate between 20% and 30% Level of acceptance is high (gov depts, embassies etc)

12. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland ITIA Stakeholders working together ‐Department of Justice ‐Courts Service / Gardai / Prisons ‐Universities / Kings Inns / Law Society ‐Professional INT/TR bodies ‐Contract holders (Translation Companies) ‐Legal translators/interpreters

13. Directive 2010/64/EU and Ireland Thank you! www.translatorsassociation.ie