Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 12, line 27, after “members,” to insert “who shall be competent to conduct their functions through the medium of Irish”.

Amendment No. 5 would ensure members will be competent to conduct their functions through the medium of the Irish language. It is important that members of the commission would be competent to do this. It is coming from the same space in that the language Act is trying to get us into a position where more people, particularly those in official positions of this nature, will have a high level of competency in the Irish language, while not the common language, and be able to use it when necessary. It would be hoped that would become more of the norm. In that context, it is appropriate to make this amendment. Amendment No. 8 in the name of Deputy Pringle is similar in that it seeks to ensure competent use of the Irish language by all members of the commission.