Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Ní aontaím leis an Seanadóir in aon chor. I do not agree with the Senator. It is far better that students, teachers and even those outside that circle have the opportunity to converse idir Béarla agus Gaeilge. If the confidence is sufficient to conduct the entire conversation as Gaeilge, is iontach an rud é sin. However, if that is not the case and there is an impetus to employ both, that should be encouraged. It is better to use both rather than just the one. However, I appreciate the Senator's bona fides in terms of the point she makes regarding immersion in the Gaeilge in the opening weeks but the reality for many students is that they will then return to an English-medium college. It is a lot more nádúrtha úsáid a bhaint as an dá theanga on occasion, not taking away from the enormous benefit for those who are fluent and who seek to improve that fluency and for those who are not fluent, who would have an opportunity to work with those who are. Support is required to encourage greater use of Irish and excellence in Irish but also to encourage those who are not yet at that level to have the confidence to build upon what they have.