Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I wish to share time with Deputy Michael D. Higgins.

Ar son Pháirtí an Lucht Oibre, tá áthas orm an Bille seo a phlé. Caithfear NUIG a mholadh, toisc go mbíonn an caighdeán acadúil thar barr i gcónaí. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an ollscoil ábalta oideachas a chur ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge, agus tá NUIG in ann cultúr dátheangach a chur chun cinn i ngach gné den saol san ollscoil. Tá sé fíor, áfach, go gcaithfear an reachtaíocht a athrú ionas gur féidir leis an ollscoil dul ar aghaidh leis na haidhmeanna atá aici sa lá atá inniu ann. Mar sin, cuirimid fáilte roimh an Bhille, ach beimid ag lorg leasuithe áirithe ionas gur féidir linn an gealltanas don teanga a shoiléiriú sa Bhille.

The Labour Party welcomes the fact that the Bill is being taken and we do not wish to delay its passage in any way. I commend NUIG for its excellence in the promotion and practice of the Irish language. I might take issue in a small way with the Minister regarding her presentation of the argument even though I agree with what she hopes to achieve. This is a practical response to a genuine problem that has arisen for NUIG in a world that has changed radically since the establishment of the university and since the original Bill was passed. The Minister's presentation was somewhat utilitarian in terms of the work of a university, the relevance of the Irish language and the bilingual nature of NUIG. I cite my colleague, Deputy Higgins, to demonstrate that it is not difficult to have a fine academic ability and also to be fluent in the Irish language. I would not overestimate the difficulty this issue has caused. However, I acknowledge there have been legal and practical difficulties in recruiting appropriate people for the university in a changing global environment.

The Labour Party's amendments propose to strengthen the wording of the Bill because it could be open to differing interpretation. I agree with earlier speakers that the president and the governing body of the university are very committed to the role of the Irish language in the college. The proposed wording could be interpreted in a less forceful way than it is being interpreted by the current NUIG administration. I am pleased the Minister has accepted one of our amendments by putting down a similar amendment to ensure the university strategic development plan should show a strong commitment to the use of Irish throughout the university.

I agree with some of Deputy Enright's arguments that Irish needs to be a living language for the country and that we as legislators must do our utmost to strengthen the use of the Irish language. I share her concern about the decline in its use in Gaeltacht areas. There is a need for a radical alteration of the curriculum and the methods of examination used in schools to allow for more emphasis on the spoken language. This could then be rewarded with reference to leaving certificate points because that drives the way in which any subject is studied and it holds true for all languages on the curriculum. There are broader issues relating to the Irish language which need to be debated and I welcome Fine Gael's raising of that issue for debate even though the Labour Party emphasis on some aspects is somewhat different. This Bill is a small change for NUIG and I recommend we assist the Minister in bringing the Bill through the House as quickly as possible.

I would like to see our amendments adopted because they would strengthen the proposal. I have spoken with the president of the university and others in NUIG and I recommend the university be facilitated in this regard.

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