Irish was recognised as an official and working language of the EU in 2007.

And where the Modenese dialect had been heard on the shop floor, English became the working language.

However, the working language of the new plant was to be English, so language would not be a problem.

All crew members have a varying command of English, but not all speak Russian, another working language during the trip.

The Irish language has been unanimously approved by EU foreign ministers as the 21st official working language of the European Union.

The move follows last year's EU decision to designate Irish as its 21st official and working language from 2007.

The move follows the elevation of Irish to official and working language status in the European Union, which comes into force from January next year.

The working languages of the project will be English, French and Chinese.

Currently, the EU lists 24 official and working languages.

Irish would be accorded its place amongst Europe's working languages, assuming the application is agreed.

As things stand, the EU is a club of 15-member states with II working languages.

While Irish is a treaty language, it is still not one of the EU working languages.