Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I will make three of it so. I was in Carlow some weeks ago where a mini oireachtas was going on for the best part of a fortnight. They have a network of naonraí gaelscoil Gaelcholáistí, and the institute is located there. The public is also engaged also and it is working towards what has been set out. The local authority is heavily engaged working towards bilingual status for Carlow town, as an example. I happened to be in Gibbstown, in County Meath, which is a Gaeltacht, but the level of engagement there between the local GAA club, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann and the local school would indicate there is significant engagement overall.

There is a significant number of networks of community groups, whether it is Gaeilge ag Labhart, Corcaigh ag Labhart or any of those that are ready to adopt the strategy. It must be remembered that it is a 20 year strategy. There are three phases to it over a 20 year period. Flexibility and an openness to adapt and achieve the objectives set down in the plan is probably its strength.

See this speech in context