Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tá brón orm mar nach bhfuil mórán Ghaeilge agam. Tá náire orm. Again, tá an-bhrón orm. I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. They were fascinating to me and very refreshing. It was wonderful to hear Irish spoken this morning. It was music to my ears.

My story is that my father came from Rathlin Island, and his grandfather was a fluent Irish speaker. I believe Gaeilge was his first language. Unfortunately, my grandmother insisted that her children not speak Irish because there was a lot of fear. I often wonder whether some form of intergenerational trauma was handed down to me. I intend, however, to learn Irish and go to the Gaeltacht when the lockdown is over. In fact, I have already booked.

I fully support what is happening today. As a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, I believe it is essential and appropriate for us to fulfil the delegates' request to write to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney. He is a co-signatory. The implementation of the Irish Language Act is not only a symbolic and historic step in promoting a progressive and inclusive Ireland but it will also implement outstanding mechanisms needed for true power-sharing in the North. The delegates would like us to write to the Minister. Is there any other role that we can play, as a committee, to oversee the implementation of the agreement?