Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire sinsearach as an éisteacht a thug sé dúinn. Chuir sé leasuithe síos a thug roinnt de na moltaí a bhí againn ar Chéim an Choiste ar bord, agus tá siad le feiceáil anois ar an gCéim seo. I welcome the amendments from the Minister. He said he would look at the Bill, he did so and we see the product of that in the amendments that he has tabled. That is to be welcomed. The issue around the 20% of recruitment and of the 20% of the board will obviously be dealt with when the board of the coimisiún is appointed.

Some of the amendments have come from Conradh na Gaeilge and some have come on the suggestion of the senior Minister. It is interesting that some of those amendments are the ones that have not been accepted. Given where we are with the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, which has not been commenced at this stage, it is good that the Minister took these amendments on board to address the lacuna, or whatever one may call it, that we are in at the moment by giving effect to the Government's intent that any future commission would have the effect as set down in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act. I hope other Ministers will take heed of this in other Bills that will be before the House on Report Stage next week, one of which was supposed to be before us today. Like others, I am not trying to have an argument but to ensure all of this is given proper effect in advance of the commencement of Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021.

I am happy enough to withdraw the amendments in my name on the basis and the understanding that the Irish language will not be sidelined at any stage in the future, as the Minister reflected on Committee Stage. That is now reflected in the Minister’s amendments. They do not go as far as I would have liked but the situation is a great deal better now. When the members of an coimisiún are being appointed, we must ensure this issue is to the forefront. It must be understood that their ability to speak Irish, or have an understanding of the Irish language, is an aid. This would be a welcome criterion for such members, if possible, in the future. This is something that has not been to the fore in the past.

See this speech in context