Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I do not know where the Minister got the idea that people are claiming the objective will not be reached. We simply want to know what is happening. Is the Government being unsuccessful in a limited way? Are there major problems with some member states? Do some agree with the Irish position? Do some disagree, particularly those member states that have languages not considered a main language within their borders, but have larger numbers than Irish speakers speaking them as a first language? Members on this side of the House do not know what is happening, be it good, bad or indifferent. No one is commenting on whether it is desirable or otherwise. Will the Minister simply inform us, in as far as he can, as to what is happening? If all he has told us is all he can say, then he should not bother to reply.

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