Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Yes. It is important to promote the language at all levels of society. Several Members have mentioned the Gaelscoileanna because in non-Gaeltacht areas they are the future of the language. In my constituency there is also Baile Ghib, a small Gaeltacht community where several people are committed to the language. They do not have much choice among the solicitors in the county if they want their business transacted in Irish. As long as proper standards are maintained and the Law Society and the King's Inns take the language seriously the Bill will help people like those in Baile Ghib.

It is about time the King's Inns changed its name because this is an independent republic with a president and a parliamentary democracy. This may be a matter for Government if the King's Inns has a charter for its name. The name is old-fashioned and not suitable to a modern republic.

I support the thrust of the Bill but think that we need to discuss its individual provisions on Committee Stage. Meanwhile, I will make some suggestions on this to the Minister.

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