In the case of most services, the ISL targets will be assessed by the BAI based on a 24-hour day with an exception for any channel where the length of the broadcast day is less than 24 hours.456 Broadcasters must also ensure that in the event of government announcements relating to national emergencies, that ISL interpreters will be in attendance, clearly visible and understandable to the audience throughout the entirety of the broadcast.457 It is expected that the government or those working on their behalf in the presentation of emergency information will cooperate with broadcasters to ensure these requirements are met.458
Scope and Limitations of the Act Limited to Public Bodies The obligations under this Act are only applicable to public bodies.459 Under the Act they must do all that is reasonable to ensure that interpretation into ISL is available for someone who is competent in the language and cannot hear or understand English or Irish when they are seeking to avail or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute by that public body.460 A public body is defined in the Act by Section 1.461 The Minister may also prescribe as a public body such other personal, body, organisation or group financial wholly or partially out of the monies provided by the Oireachtas that ought in the opinion of the Minister in the public interest have regard to the provisions and intentions of this Act.462 This limitation to public bodies displays an overall gap in statutory entitlements, which may increase difficulties for ISL users who would like to avail of services other than what comes under the definition of a public body. This may require the ISL user to arrange their own interpreting, which can be costly, making interpretation less accessible. In terms of other statutory obligations which could apply to non- public bodies, the Employment Equality Act obliges employers to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, however
456
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, ‘BAI Access Rules’ (bai.ie, 2019) < https://www.bai.ie/en/media/sites/2/dlm_uploads/2019/01/AccessRules_2019_vFinal.pdf.> accessed 14t November 2021. 457 Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, ‘BAI Access Rules’ (bai.ie, 2019) < https://www.bai.ie/en/media/sites/2/dlm_uploads/2019/01/AccessRules_2019_vFinal.pdf.> accessed 14t November 2021. 458 Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, ‘BAI Access Rules’ (bai.ie, 2019) <https://www.bai.ie/en/media/sites/2/dlm_uploads/2019/01/AccessRules_2019_vFinal.pdf.> accessed 14t November 2021. 459 Irish Sign Language Act 2017, s 3(1). 460 Irish Sign Language Act 2017, s 6(1). 461 Irish Sign Language Act 2017, s 1. 462 Irish Sign Language Act 2017, s 6(5).
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