Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tá an-áthas orm labhairt anocht anseo. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go maith le Rónán Ó Domhnaill ina phost nua. Tá cónaí orm i Mainistir na Búille i gContae Ros Comáin. Bhí mé ar scoil ar feadh 14 years, ach níl an Ghaeilge go maith agam. Chaith mé 14 years ar scoil, ach níl Gaeilge agam ná ag go leor daoine eile ar an oileán beag seo. Tá mé ag seasamh sa toghchán i nGaillimh agus i Ros Comáin. Is maith liom peil agus iomáint na Gaillimhe. Tá Ros Comáin go deas freisin. Tá mé ag foghlaim na Gaeilge agus tá feabhas ag teacht orm. I wish Rónán Ó Domhnaill every success in his new job.

We must ask ourselves why, in a small island like Ireland, ten of thousands of people like me have limited Irish despite going to school for 14 years. I do not know what the problem is. Maybe the Irish language has been taken over by a self-appointed elite group. When I was appointed to the arts, sports and Gaeilge portfolio three and a half years ago, some members of this group wrote an article in a local newspaper saying they were unhappy. They do not represent the Irish speakers or the people from the Gaeltacht. Indeed, the reception I got in the Gaeltacht and from Conradh na Gaeilge and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, was absolutely terrific. We need to do something to ensure Irish is not the preserve of the self-appointed academics. People like me should be able to speak cúpla focal without having to worry if it is good enough or bad enough. There has to be a certain level. I wish Rónán Ó Domhnaill every success in his new job.

It is vital that there be some discipline within the Irish language. Once again I thank the people from Clare Island and the Gaeltacht and from all the various organisations who were very kind to me and understood that there are tens of thousands like me who spent 14 years at school. Maybe we did not apply ourselves as much. Something needs to be done there. I thank the Minister for all the work he has done in the last few years. This is an inspired appointment and I wish Mr. Ó Domhnaill well.

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