Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

You do not have to be fluent in the Irish language to love our native tongue. I commend the Deputy for showing that love of the language and trying to support it here. We should never be fearful of stumbling, getting grammar wrong or forgetting our séimhiús. It is about using and promoting the language, even if it is through putting questions in English, which is fantastic. It is wonderful to see the surge in numbers of people wishing to learn the language mentioned by the Deputy.

Pending the agreement of the language plan, the issues of financial support for Gaelscoileanna and employing language assistants in Cork city's Irish-medium schools have already been raised with my officials. They are being actively considered by my officials and I expect a decision will be made in due course.

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