Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Chuir an tAire ceist orm cén áit in ar fhoghlaim mise mo Ghaeilge. Fuair mé mo Ghaeilge i gcampa Cheis Fada, nuair a bhí mé faoi ghlas ag na Gallaibh. Sin an áit in ar fhoghlaim mé mo Ghaeilge. Fuair mé an Ghaeilge fosta nuair a chaith mé tamall gairid sna blocanna H. Ach chaill an Taoiseach an míniú atá leis an gceist.

There has been a whole series of cuts in services to the people of the Gaeltacht areas and to parents and children who want to be educated and live their lives through Irish. Of course, anybody can learn Irish.

Táim ag déanamh mo dhícheall é sin a dhéanamh agus táim i mo sheasamh anseo ag labhairt as Gaeilge achan lá. Táim ag déanamh mo dhícheall. Mar adúirt mé, nílim ag tabhairt amach faoi Theachta Dála Heather Humphreys nó an Teachta McHugh go pearsanta.

There are two Ministers of State in this Department. One has Irish and no responsibility for the Gaeltacht, and one does not have Irish and has responsibility for the Gaeltacht. Here is the rub. When a delegation from the Gaeltacht comes in to meet the Minister, they will not be able to converse with the Minister and have a working meeting with the Minister in their own language.

That is the problem and they have this right. Is cearta sibhialta atá i gceist anseo. Is ceist an-tábhachtach í seo.

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