Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Táim an-bhuíoch a bheith ábalta labhairt sa díospóireacht tábhachtach seo. Le do thoil, beidh mé ag labhairt as Gaeilge agus as Béarla. I can only speak from my own experience. Mar Bhaile Atha Cliathach, níl mórán seans agam an teanga a úsáid, or to use it as much I would wish. However, unlike the previous speaker, I was privileged and lucky to have attended a Christian Brothers' school which was immersed in the Irish culture and Irish language. I was also lucky in the individuals I met during those years. Like the Minister, who was immersed in the Irish culture, as a result of meeting those people I spent a number of years i gCill Chiaráin i gContae na Gaillimhe, in the Gaeltacht area. I am forever grateful for that opportunity.

When I left school and went out to work there was not much of a chance for me to practise my Irish. Despite being in the Civil Service and having the occasional opportunity to use Gaeilge, I found a distinct lack of opportunity to use the language. However, many of the changes that have taken place in recent times are as a direct result of the Minister's interest in the language and culture and the changes in the public services where people have a choice as whether to correspond or speak to a person as Gaeilge. There was no such choice a short number of years ago. That is the change I see.

Níl sé ceart nó fíor a rá nach bhfuil suim ag an Rialtas sa teanga nó sa chultúr. It is just not right to say the Government or the previous Administration do not have an interest in or have at the heart of its policies the future of the Irish language or Irish culture. The Government has set down the basic principle that the Gaeltacht will be given special support as an Irish speaking area and has demonstrated this commitment not just in words, but by substantial investment. More than €800 million has been spent on the Gaeltacht and the islands since 1996. This year we will spend more than €100 million on supporting and nurturing the Irish language. I see the difference that makes.

Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi na gaelscoileanna. There are a number of gaelscoileanna in my area. As Deputy Ring said, there is an element of fashion in the way people choose to send their children to gaelscoileanna. There is also the willingness of my generation to have their children taught through Irish. That is something we bring with us from our experience of the school system. I see the link between gaelscoileanna and Gaelic games which is of huge benefit to children and parents. I have no doubt that whatever needs to be done to support the gaelscoileanna around the country will be done. Particularly outside the Gaeltacht areas there is an onus on us to ensure people are given the choice and the opportunity to pursue their education trí Gaeilge or through a mixture of Irish and English and whatever subjects they choose as they go through college. That the gaelscoileanna have become so popular is testament to the way the Irish language has been marketed in recent years. That is what it is about. It is about the selling the Irish language and Irish culture.

Deputy Ring referred to last weekend and the excellent footage we saw of people, young and old, enjoying themselves and having a good time, all centred around Irish culture and the Irish language. It is a privilege to see that when it is done properly. I admire people such as Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the commitment those people have to Irish culture and the way they promote it everywhere they go. No matter where they are in the world or in the country, they will always promote Irish culture and the Irish language. We need to promote and support such people as much as possible.

I see the difference in children in my own area. I am particularly aware of their confidence around the gaelscoileanna and their willingness to engage with one as Gaeilge and to become involved in Gaelic sport, football and hurling, and boys and girls mixing and enjoying themselves through a medium which others would find difficult to understand. That is not the fault of those other people. It is part of the way we grew up.

I have been privileged and lucky to meet people who are totally committed to the language. I am disappointed that I do not get the opportunity to use it as much as possible. However, even in public services that is changing. If I want to have a discussion as Gaeilge or to use a mixture of Irish and English I can do so. I can telephone somebody and practise what I have managed to retain in the time since I left the educational system.

Ba mhaith liom cuple focal a rá faoi TG4 agus comhghairdeas a ghabháil le muintir TG4. It has done a huge service since its establishment. This comes through in the young people. TG4 goes out of its way to appeal to young people and links sports with popular music. That is something that will pay dividends in the future. As a nation, we should be proud of the way we have managed to grow that particular institution over the years.

Finally, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis on Aire. As an individual, he has done exceptional work in promoting and ensuring the future of the Irish language. As a Government and as a party, we on this side of the House have always shown our commitment to the Irish language. We have always shown our support for the Gaeltacht areas around the country. We will continue with that support. Le cuidiú Dé beimid ar ais anseo at some stage in the future continuing to support and congratulate the Minister and I wish him all the best.

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