Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

The Coimisinéir Teanga roughly estimates it at €0.5 billion. The former president of the University of Limerick, Dr. Ed Walsh, says it is €1.2 billion. A considerable amount of taxpayers' money is being spent on the Irish language. I believe we need to consult with the taxpayers in terms of where we go from here and involve them in the debate on the strategy to ensure we help develop a sense of ownership of the language among the public at large. Otherwise, we will go nowhere. Can I take it the Minister would give his full support to such a debate in the Dáil?

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