Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I will probably not get to speak on my amendment so I wish to support the elements in Deputy Gogarty's amendment that agree with amendments Nos. 15, 17 and 23 which I have tabled.

I welcome the fact the Minister has accepted our proposal to include the word "principal"; that it would be one of the principal aims of the college. I urge her to consider the other two suggestions in amendments Nos. 17 and 23, to insert after the word "education", the phrase, the provision of education "by, among other means, the provision of a wide range of courses" at the college, which is also included in Deputy Gogarty's amendment.

The intention is to ensure it would not refer to the provision of education in general which would not necessarily be interpreted in a robust way. It would depend on who was interpreting it. Including the phrase suggested would ensure a wide availability of courses through Irish, not just the availability of a small number of courses through Irish.

I have also sought to include the insertion of the following: "and a functional bilingual communications encouraged". That is very important. I hope the Minister will accept the spirit of all of these amendments and, specifically, the wording of the Labour Party amendments. I thank her for accepting the first one.

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