Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted chun seas suas agus cúpla focal a rá ar son an Bhille sin. I issue a céad míle fáilte roimh gach éinne sa Gallery and to the interpreters suas anseo in the press gallery. I am delighted to see so many people here. This is a timely piece of legislation and I send my comhghairdeas mór leis an Seanadóir Mark Daly and his assistants and to the Seanad and the justice committee for dealing with it so expeditiously. I thank an tAire Stáit, Deputy Finian McGrath, for coming here and taking part in such a good-spirited debate with the emphasis on granting a right to all people with this disability. I hope it is passed unanimously, though I can see there are some amendments. If it passes tonight it will not be before time. Pádraig Pearse once said that a nation was not a nation without its language and I agree with that. There has been a shameful denial for a long time and it is shameful that we have not recognised ISL or provided the facilities for people who have issues with hearing or cannot hear. I am sure some people in this House, including the Ceann Comhairle, have at times wished they could not hear me but sin scéal eile. It is nearly Christmas and I wish all Members, including the Ceann Comhairle, and all the staff a happy Christmas.

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, Deputy Michael Collins and I support this Bill. Everybody has spoken highly of the Bill and it is nice to hear unison, at least on one issue. The right to use one's own language is a basic human right. We give lip service to it at times and we are criticised for reports that are published in our national tongue but I make no apology for doing that. I compliment the Irish Deaf Society and its members for lobbying and fighting the good fight to get to this stage. They should not have had to fight for these things but sadly, there is not equality in every area. The deaf community feels a great sense of isolation and neglect. Some of us occasionally get problems with our hearing but we have no idea what it is like to hear and exchange words. I thank the interpreters who work with the society for their engagement. This is about a right and they have been discriminated against. I hope that once the legislation is passed there will be no further delays or prevarication but that it is expeditiously put through. The resources also have to be put with it so that the necessary supports can be given to the people who need them.

As Deputy Clare Daly said, all children, at least those in national schools, should be encouraged and able to understand ISL. The Irish language was beaten into us in my time at school, meaning we rejected it, but it is important that all children, from naíonraí and play-schools to first, second and third level, should be better able to understand our friends and colleagues, as well as acknowledge their rights. It is also important that all public bodies implement the legislation and assist with ISL. They should have a cohort among their staff who can deal with deaf people efficiently because the latter deserve that. We should not just talk about this and pass the Bill - we must ensure the money is put behind it so that it is embraced by everyone.

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