Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith ag an Teachta. I agree that mná tí have made a huge contribution to the promotion of the Irish language down through the years.

I am speaking from personal experience because students used to stay in my house when I was very young. I agree with the Deputy in that regard. I am glad to say that the Irish colleges are still going very strong. Over 20,000 people attend Irish courses in the Gaeltacht and stay with the mná tí every year. This is of great benefit for the language. It also has economic benefits for the mná tí. I am very supportive of this scheme.

Nothing in the Government's Irish language policy, as published when we took office three years ago, envisages that changes will be made with regard to the leaving certificate. I believe the Government is very supportive of the language. I disagree with the Deputy on that point. I believe we are as committed as any Government has been. The Deputy also mentioned Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. There are 19 voluntary community language organisations under the North-South Ministerial Council structure. It was decided some time ago that we should reduce that number as part of a rationalisation programme. It has been agreed that there will be six lead organisations. Unfortunately, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge is not one of them. This decision has been arrived at by Foras na Gaeilge. It will probably come before the North-South Ministerial Council at its next meeting in April. We will get an update on what has happened so far at the meeting, which will take place on 3 April.