An Irish language organisation has said a fifth of all new entrants to the civil service should be proficient in writing and speaking Irish.

Conradh na Gaeilge is seeking changes to the Official Languages Act to stop a decline in the number of people speaking Irish.

It says the 2003 act is not delivering in its present form and needs urgent improvement.

The organisation says all public services should be available through Irish in Gaeltacht areas by 2020.

In addition, State forms should be presented in bilingual form and all citizens should have the right to use the Irish language version of their name and address.

The organisation says that legislative change would enhance and encourage the use of Irish.