Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In focusing on the Deputy's question, which is a good one, I note that this is about bringing the Irish language into people's homes and getting parents to speak it. Nuair a bhí mé i mo chodladh aréir, bhí mé ag smaoineamh i nGaeilge. I was thinking in the language for the first time in a long time. We must get people thinking in the language - ag smaoineamh sa teanga. There is a challenge with the Irish language and I am asking people to follow me on my journey whereby we can reach out to people who got Cs, Bs, and As in the leaving certificate examinations but do not speak it. They have a grá for the language. I ask people to look at that. There is a barrier to getting people involved in the language.

I am conscious of my role as Aire Stáit for the Gaeltacht. That includes the Irish language and the massive challenges around unemployment - dífhostaíocht - and emigration. I will work on those issues. Rugadh mé lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht agus tá mé in mo chonaí lasmuigh di, but I live close to it and I know the needs.

I share the Deputy's concerns. I am not being dismissive in relation to the point made. I share the Deputy's concerns and I am willing to work him and other spokespersons on arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht.

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