Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)

I wish to join in condemning any violence that the Tánaiste has faced. No one from any side of this House should experience that. I stand with anyone experiencing that. He has my complete solidarity.

Is mian liom labhairt faoi rud atá i mbéal an phobail faoi láthair, is é sin, an méid airgid atá ag dul don Ghaeilge. It is a shame that more than 100 years after the foundation of this State Irish speakers and members of the Gaeltacht will be protesting outside these Houses this Saturday for basic rights for our native language. During the formation of Government, the regional Independents showed our priority for more funding for the Irish language. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an tAire ar an eolas faoi seo. Bhuail mé leis ag an gcruinniú sin. The founding mothers and fathers of this State would be turning in their graves if they knew only 0.01% of the budget was going to the Department with responsibility for the Gaeltacht. We need to put more money into that. It is something we need to get down. There will be more jobs and opportunities for people. I was a presenter for TG4 before I was a politician. Let us put more money into TG4. Let us put more money into the Irish language. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. It is important we nurture our native language because that is it. Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam.

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