Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Deputy in wishing those who have left our shores to find work well. The most useful thing we can do is create an economy that once again offers opportunities. It is encouraging to see that in the past 12 months, employment growth in this country has been faster than in any other OECD country. Hopefully, we will be in a position to offer more and more people the chance to find work here.

I note the Deputy's comment that it is a pity we do not have an Irish-speaking Minister here. Like many others who have been through our school system - I think we probably sat through 1,500 hours, which someone heard was the estimated time for the teaching of Irish - I would not feel competent to answer questions as Gaeilge with the sort of exactitude that would be necessary in this House. I acknowledge that there are others who can do so. I have been around this House for a long number of years and to be fair to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers, a far greater amount of Irish is now used in this House than was the case in the many years I have served here.

There is no date for the national cultural institutions (No. 1) Bill and heads have not come to Government. There is no date for the public health (standardised packaging of tobacco) Bill. There is no date for the gender recognition Bill.

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