Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

Is onóir dom labhairt anseo inniú faoi straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge mar leas-chathaoirleach ar an gComhchoiste um Ghnóthaí Ealaíon, Spóirt, Turasóireachta, Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. Sa choiste sin, rinneamar scrúdú ar an dréacht straitéis, chuamar i gcomhairle leis an bpobal agus chuireamar moltaí le chéile.

Próiséas fiúntach agus tábhachtach a bhí ann. Bhí sé an-tabhachtach, mar shampla, tuairimí an phobail a fháil mar ag deireadh an lae, beidh an straitéis ag brath ar thacaíocht a fháil ón bpobal. Táim an-dóchasach go néireoidh leis an straitéis seo na spriocanna atá ann a bhaint amach. Tá go leor ann le bheith dóchasach faoi, mar shampla, na Gaelscoileanna. Tá ceithre Ghaelscoil i mo dháilcheantar féin i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh agus tá an Gaelscoil i mBaile an Brigín ag lorg foirgnimh nua.

As this is a bilingual issue, I will say a few words in English. I welcome the all-party consensus we achieved on this strategy. The aim to have as many citizens as possible speaking Irish is desirable from all perspectives. We hear a great deal about Irish sovereignty at present. I have visited Connemara and the Gaeltacht is the ideal place to promote or increase the number of people who speak Irish on a daily baisis.

The committee met a number of groups and it was very encouraging to meet so many people who were involved in promoting the Irish language. Getting them focused through this 20 year strategy is vital and will be the key to success. I believe we can achieve the objective of having 250,000 people speaking Irish each day, and this strategy is the way forward. When I was in Connemara I was impressed by the level of input of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Keeping people living and working in their own area through the medium of Irish is the way forward, and providing Údarás na Gaeltachta with the funding and ability to keep going is the correct course.

A few general points should be made about Irish people. It is ironic that when they go abroad they suddenly renew their Irish identity and are prepared to use the cúpla focail in a restaurant, train or elsewhere. We should instil some of that spirit in people at home, so they can take pride in having their native language. In the current economic debate there is much talk about losing our sovereignty but the main things that identify Irish people are their language, music and art. I believe the gaelscoileanna are the way forward. There are four in my constituency and a group in Balbriggan is trying to found the first second level Gaelscoil in my constituency.

Members of the Dáil should do more. Lessons were available to Members who were anxious to brush up on their Irish which was availed of by Deputies Burke, Feighan and O'Shea, as well as myself. It is regrettable that during this session they have not recommenced. Will the Minister use his influence to have these lessons re-started which would benefit many Members?

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