Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Tóibín for his co-operation. He has an understanding of how rural Ireland works. The Government is setting up a new Department to represent and put rural Ireland at the Cabinet table. Maybe Deputy Ó Cuív does not like that, but I am delighted that the Taoiseach has selected a Minister. The Deputy should be delighted that the Gaeltacht Department will not be represented by one Minister, but by two ministerial members at the Cabinet table. The Deputy would love to be that Minister and he would be delighted to be there. While he was there, I praised him for some of the work that he did and criticised him for other work that he did, but at least I was fair and honest.

This Bill is about setting up a Department. I will tell Deputy Ó Cuív about the Order of Business. He knows how the House works better than anyone. This was agreed at the Business Committee last week. It is a small Bill.

The Deputy is a good Irish speaker, as is Deputy Tóibín. I do not speak Irish. I was not as lucky and as privileged as Deputy Ó Cuív. I came from a big family. In the summer, I could not go to the Gaeltacht. I had to go out and work. I make no apologies for that.

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