Limerick businesses with a flair for bilingual skills are invited to become Ireland's Bilingual Business Champions for 2008.

Mentor Gaeilge, leading promoter of the Irish language in Business, has announced the launch of a proactive and exciting new award for Irish businesses across Limerick and the rest of Ireland. Gnó le Gaeilge Q Marc is an innovative, practical and useful method for Irish businesses to gain recognition and potentially differentiate themselves in an extremely competitive market.

Aimed at promoting the day-to-day use of Irish in business, Gnó le Gaeilge Q Marc will enhance the service provision of businesses by captitalising on the fact they are using their 'mother language' in conjunction with English to promote their business, products and services.

According to a spokesperson for the organisation, after a lengthy research and consultation period with business organisations, state agencies and Irish language groups it was determined that there was great interest in launching an award focused on the use of Irish in businesses.

Currently under the Language Act 2003 six hundred and fifty public sector companies are obligated to provide services through Irish under various schemes.

To date seventy plus schemes have been agreed by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which has created an increased presence of professional service provision through Irish. The intention of the Gnó le Gaeilge Q Marc is to enable business organisations to evaluate, develop and capitalise on the use of the Irish language as a complementary business and marketing tool.

"Businesses across the island of Ireland need to become more proactive in differentiating themselves from the competition. We are entering a downturn in the economy and it is essential for Irish businesses to become innovative in how they market themselves. What better way than to go back to our roots and promote the use of Irish," said Michelle Nic Suibhne, Manager, Gnó Mentor Gaeilge.

"Having extensively researched the 'Gnó le Gaeilge Q Marc' we feel that this recognition will bring the language to even greater heights while increasing language awareness in business and, importantly gives companies the opportunity to show publicly their support leading business excellence with bilingualism," Ms Nic Suibhne said.

To register one's interest visit www.mentorgaeilge.ie.

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