Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to say a few words on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012. Deputy Mattie McGrath referred to the Gaeltacht legislation the House debated some time ago, which laid down in law the structures for Údarás na Gaeltachta. I congratulate the newly appointed members of the new board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, all of whom have considerable experience and will implement the requirements and measures provided for under the Act. I congratulate, in particular, two members from my constituency, Seosamh Ó Laoi from An Spidéal and Dairíona Nic an Iomaire, both of whom are highly competent individuals with considerable experience in Gaeltacht affairs, education, business and the arts. Coming from strong Gaeltacht areas, they are obviously native Irish speakers who will bring much talent to the new board.

This morning I attended a lá eolais organised by Conradh na Gaeilge which discussed the challenges facing the native language. Notwithstanding these challenges, it is clear that we still have a vibrant language and hundreds of thousands of citizens continue to be deeply committed to Irish and passionate about its future. If the language is to flourish, we must anticipate and recognise the threats it faces. These threats are exacerbated by the reality that most daily use of Irish occurs in the education system or is confined to specific geographical areas. Furthermore, in the face of globalisation and the rise and prominence of a small number of increasingly influential languages such as English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, it is more vital than ever that we promote and enhance an Caighdeán Oifigiúil. By doing so, we will facilitate the evolution of Gaeilge, which involves the addition of new, often complex, terminology in a structured fashion. The Bill achieves this and, more significant, when reviewing an Caighdeán Oifigiúil, it stipulates that consultation is required not only with the relevant Ministers, namely, the Ministers for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Education and Skills and Justice and Equality, but also members of the public.

Tá saibhreas teanga in úsáid gach lá ag muintir Ghaeltacht na Gaillimhe chomh maith le daoine sna Gaeltachtaí eile agus ní mór a chinntiú go léireofar é seo san Chaighdeán Oifigiúil. Mar sin, tá súil agam go mbeidh béim an phobail soiléir sa Bhille um Choimisiún Thithe an Oireachtais mar a bhí sa Bhille Gaeltachta le déanaí, an t-achtú is cuimsithí a bhaineann lenár dteanga le blianta, agus ba cheart moladh a thabhairt don Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus don Aire Stáit.

The other main objectives of the Bill concern the translation of legislation, including statutory instruments. This issue was fought out in the courts when the Supreme Court ruled against the previous Government by striking down a declaration that there existed a constitutional obligation to translate statutory requirements and instruments. To provide for a stronger footing for the translation of legislation, the Government has correctly moved to consolidate the State's legislative translation services within the Houses of the Oireachtas. It makes sense that the Government should lead by example.

An updated version of An Caighdeán Oifigiúil has already been circulated to all Oireachtas Members and is proving to be of exceptional use and value in our parliamentary and representational duties. However, while the court found that the Constitution does not require simultaneous translation of Acts of the Oireachtas, it also ruled that translation is required within a reasonable period. While time limits or deadlines were not specified, the Oireachtas has a duty to all citizens, especially those for whom Gaeilge is their daily language, to strive towards simultaneous translation. Furthermore, I welcome the provisions which place an onus on Ministers and Departments to translate statutory instruments and so forth when requested to do so.

There is a requirement under previous Acts to translate official Government and local authority publications such as reports, county development plans and a variety of other documents. Trying to read such translations, which have been translated word for word, I and many others with much better Irish than I have, including native Irish speakers, have found that the meaning has been lost. Given the difficulty of doing direct translations into Irish, it will be necessary to take greater cognisance of the need to make the written word more easily understood.

While it is fine to welcome the use of translations, one must also consider the strength of the Irish language in various areas. I spoke during the debate on the Gaeltacht Bill about the work done in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Cnoc na Cathrach, where the principal, Dairíona Nic an Iomaire, and her staff have done great work over the years to promote Irish in Galway city. This has had a major impact and large numbers of students are now educated in the city's gaelscoil system. As it happens, although the area in which Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is in the official Gaeltacht, it was neglected to some degree before the school was established. In my area, we also have an all-Irish school, Scoil Bhaile Nua in Moycullen. The standard of Irish in other schools in Galway is also improving, for example, in Boleybeg Bearna.

Yesterday, the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, met Oireachtas Members from Galway West to discuss Aer Arann services to the Arann Islands, which are of major concern to muintir Árann. As with so much in this day and age, the problem is one of finance. I ask the Ministers again to make every effort to ensure funding is found to protect the public service obligation for an air service to the Arann Islands, which is one of the strongest Gaeltacht areas. While such a service will not ensure the survival of the language, it will certainly play a major role in maintaining the islands' population and provide possibilities for the language to grow by enabling people to stay on the islands. It is a great worry to hear people who have lived on the islands for many years, especially older people, say they will consider moving to the mainland if they are not certain they will be able to leave the islands when necessary. I welcome the Bill and ask the Minister to give serious consideration to the issue I raise concerning Aer Arann.

See this speech in context