Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire agus le gach a bhí páirteach sa Bhille seo thabhairt chun cinn. Is Bille tábhachtach é a thabharfaidh aithentas agus éifeacht don teanga agus a thabharfaidh cúnamh do dhaoine é a úsáid i ngníomhachtaí leis an Stáit.

We discussed the report of the committee 12 months ago. As on the previous occasion, I started my contribution in Irish to illustrate a specific point. Irish is my native language. It is a language of which I am very proud and which I have spoken since I was a child. Despite the complaints I might have regarding the status, promotion and funding of the Irish language, it is officially recognised in the Constitution. I have the right to use my native language in our courts and when engaging with public services. While the manner in which that is done is not perfect and there are many flaws, I am aware that these are privileges that the deaf community in Ireland does not currently enjoy. Users of Irish Sign Language do not enjoy those privileges in respect of what is their native language. This Bill changes that and, as a result, it is welcome.

I commend the Minister of State and Senator Mark Daly on their work in respect of the Bill. I also commend Grace Coyle, the Senator's parliamentary assistant. I worked with Grace in a newsagents many years ago. It is a small world. I also commend Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin who made this Bill a priority at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, which brought forward the report.

It is extraordinary that the campaign for the recognition of Irish Sign Language has taken so long. It has been 30 years since the matter was first raised in the European Parliament by Eileen Lemass, a former MEP. It is extraordinary that it has taken so long to reach this point. The greatest congratulations of all are owed to those who were involved in campaigning, the many people who are in the Public Gallery tonight, the Irish Deaf Society and, specifically, the Cork Deaf Club, which was very active in canvassing me and all Deputies and Senators in Cork city and county. There are many people in this institution who deserve to be commended on the passing of this vitally important legislation, but the greatest congratulations are due to the aforementioned groups for their perseverance.

The legislation is important in terms of its symbolism and its recognition of the language. It is also important in the context of its practical effect. Deaf people have been marginalised in the areas of employment, education and opportunity. It is essential that the legislation will now give equal opportunities to members of the deaf community in all those areas and that it will give practical effect to the recognition of the language.

See this speech in context