Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I thank the Minister of State. First, I apologise that I cannot respond in Irish or as Gaeilge because tá náire mór orm Gaeilge a labhairt because I, like many people, am afraid that I will make an eejit of myself. That is people's main worry about speaking the Irish language.

I am not sure whether I should have directed this to the Minister for Education and Skills or to the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley. I am not sure who will really take responsibility for the future of the Irish language. Perhaps I should have directed it towards the Minister for Education and Skills because that is the main place where my children and all the neighbours' children will learn the Irish language. On a personal level, I am wondering is there anything innovative or different that can be done to avoid my kids having to go through the torture of being taught Irish the way it is currently taught. That is nothing against the teachers who are trying their best. It seems nearly impossible to catch the children's imagination. I am merely wondering is there anything different that will be done because I believe that the Irish language will be wiped out within 20 years unless we do something imaginative.

Would the Minister of State consider the idea, as I stated here on the day we had the debate on the Irish language, of a text-only-in-Irish day or maybe contact some of the companies which produce chocolate, such as Cadbury, to ask is it possible to get some wrappers in Irish?

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