Dáil debates
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Progress on the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language: Statements
11:00 am
Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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FáiltÃm roimh an deis tús a chur leis an bplé sa Teach inniu ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuil an-áthas orm a bheith ceaptha mar Aire EalaÃon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Cé nach bhfuil mé lÃofa sa Ghaeilge, tá spéis ar leith agam sa teanga agus táim ag obair go dlúth leis an Aire Stáit i mo Roinn, Dinny McGinley. Mar is eol daoibh, is fear de bhunú na Gaeltachta é an tAire Stáit a bhfuil tuiscint ar leith aige ar ghnóthaà Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. NÃl aon dabht agam ach go bhfuil sé go maith in ann déileáil leis na dúshláin atá roimhe ina ról mar Aire Stáit agus freagracht speisialta aige do ghnóthaà Gaeltachta.
Is à an obair is mó atá idir lámha ag mo Roinn maidir leis an nGaeilge ná an Straitéis 20 Bliain. Mar is eol daoibh, tá an prÃomh-chúram ar mo Roinn maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na Straitéise. Beidh mise agus an tAire Stáit ag obair go dian dÃcheallach chun feidhm a thabhairt do na moltaà éagsúla atá sa Straitéis. Ar an gcéad dul sÃos, ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt don dea-obair a rinneadh sa Teach seo chun an Straitéis a fhorbairt. Tá a fhios agam go raibh dua mór ag baint leis an obair sin.
Chabhraigh sé go mór go raibh tacaÃocht ar fáil ó na páirtithe polaitiúla difriúla sa Teach seo agus sa Seanad. Tá súil agam go leanfaidh an chomhoibriú seo idir na páirtithe polaitiúla maidir leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Ar an dara dul sÃos, tá mise an-sásta go bhfuil tacaÃocht an Rialtais tugtha don Straitéis ón tús. Tá sé luaite go sonrach i gClár an Rialtais go ndéanfaidh an Rialtas na spriocanna indéanta sa Straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá tacaÃocht an Taoisigh tugtha don Straitéis ón gcéad lá freisin. Tá súil agam go spreagfaidh an dea-shampla seo tacaÃocht don Straitéis i measc an phobail i gcoitinne.
Tuigimid go léir cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an Ghaeilge chun muid fein mar náisiún a chur in iúl don domhan. Go deimhin, chonaic muid BanrÃon na Breataine ÃilÃs II agus Uachtarán Mheiriceá Barack Obama ag úsáid cúpla focal i nGaeilge agus iad ar cuairt anseo le déanaÃ. \s cinnte gur féidir linn a bheith bródúil go bhfuil an Ghaeilge fós beo sa Ghaeltacht agus ar fud na tÃre.
Táim an-dóchasach go n-éireoidh linn go leor a dhéanamh sna blianta amach romhainn faoin Straitéis 20 Bliain in ainneoin deacrachtaà airgeadais na tÃre faoi láthair. Mar Aire EalaÃon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, is féidir liom a rá go mbeidh mise ag tacú a mhéid is féidir chun an obair sin a chur chun cinn. Ba mhaith liom anois iarraidh ar an Aire Stáit léargas nÃos iomláine a thabhairt don Teach ar an dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh maidir leis an Straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm. Tá tacaÃocht an Taoisigh tugtha don straitéis ón gcéad lá freisin. Tá súil agam go spreagfaidh an dea-shampla seo tacaÃocht don straitéis i measc an phobail i gcoitinne.
Tuigimid go léir cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an Ghaeilge chun muid fein mar náisiún a chur in iúl don domhan. Go deimhin, chualamar BanrÃon na Breataine, EilÃs II, agus Uachtarán Mheiriceá, Barack Obama, ag úsáid cúpla focal Gaeilge agus iad ar cuairt anseo le déanaÃ. Is féidir linn bheith bródúil go bhfuil an Ghaeilge fós beo sa Ghaeltacht agus ar fud na tÃre. Tá mé an-dóchasach go n-éireoidh linn go leor a dhéanamh sna blianta amach romhainn faoin straitéis 20 bliain in ainneoin deacrachtaà airgeadais na tÃre faoi láthair. Mar Aire EalaÃon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, tabharfaidh mé an méid tacaÃochta is féidir chun an obair sin a chur chun cinn. Iarraim ar an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Mac Fhionnlaoich, léargas nÃos iomláine a thabhairt don Teach ar an dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh chun an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm.
Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Tá mé thar a bheith buÃoch an deis seo a bheith agam labhairt sa Teach inniu maidir leis an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá mé buÃoch freisin don Aire, an Teachta Deenihan, as ucht an tacaÃocht atá tugtha aige dom agus muid ag obair i bhfochair a chéile ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus an nGaeltacht. Ba mhaith liom a rá gur onóir mhór dom a bheith ceaptha mar Aire Stáit sa Roinn EalaÃon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta le freagracht ar leith do ghnóthaà Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Mar dhuine de bhunadh Ghaeltacht Dhún na nGall, is pléisiúr mór atá ann a bheith ag plé mar Aire Stáit leis an ábhar is gaire do mo chroÃ. NÃl aon cheist ach go bhfuil an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht mar an chéad chloch ar mo phaidrÃn mar Aire Stáit agus mé ag obair go tréan, i gcomhar leis an Aire sinsearach, chun an straitéis 20 bliain a chur i gcrÃch.
Mar is eol don Teach, tá sé mar sprioc ag an straitéis 20 bliain lÃon na ndaoine a labhraÃonn Gaeilge gach lá lasmuigh den chóras oideachais a mhéadú ón bhfigiúr reatha - 83,000 duine - go 250,000 duine as seo go ceann 20 bliain. Tá sé mar sprioc freisin an lÃon daoine a labhraÃonn Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht gach lá a mhéadú faoi 25% sa tréimhse chéanna. Is é an cur chuige faoin straitéis go mbeidh creatlach tacaÃochta ann chun an Ghaeilge a chur ar aghaidh go nádúrtha ó ghlúin go glúin laistigh den teaghlach agus den phobal. Mar is eol dom go rÃ-mhaith, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis seo i gcomhthéacs na Gaeltachta. Mar atá ráite sa straitéis, leanann úsáid teanga as cumas sa teanga, deis an teanga sin a úsáid agus dearcadh dearfach i leith na teanga. Dá bhrà sin, tá cur chuige an Rialtais faoin straitéis dÃrithe go háirithe ar chumas an phobail sa teanga a fheabhsú, na deiseanna úsáidte atá ag an bpobal a mhéadú agus dearcadh dearfach i leith na Gaeilge a chothú. Tugann an straitéis deis don Stát tógáil ar an dea-thoil agus an dearcadh dearfach i leith na teanga atá neadaithe i measc an phobail go ginearálta. Mar a dúirt Uachtarán Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá agus é ar cuairt chun na tÃre seo i rith na seachtaine - más féidir liom é a aistriú - is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste. Cé gur féidir leis an gcóras Stáit iliomad gnÃomhartha a thógáil ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge, ag deireadh an lae is faoin bpobal atá sé an teanga a labhairt. Faoin straitéis 20 bliain, is gá don Stát, na heagraÃochtaà Gaeilge agus an phobal obair as lámha a chéile ar mhaithe le buanú na teanga. Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá ról ar leith ag páirtithe leasmhara na Gaeilge a gcion a dhéanamh maidir le normalú na teanga sa sochaà go ginearálta agus tacaÃocht a thabhairt do chaomhnú na Gaeilge mar theanga phobail agus mar theanga theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht.
Ba mhaith liom anois tagairt don méid atá déanta ag an Rialtas agus mo Roinn maidir le tosaÃocht a thabhairt don straitéis. Tá sé ráite go soiléir sa chlár Rialtais go dtabharfaidh an Rialtas tacaÃocht don straitéis 20 bliain agus go ndéanfaidh an Rialtas na spriocanna indéanta atá luaite inti a sheachadadh. Ãn uair gur tháinig an Rialtas seo i gcumhacht, chinn an Taoiseach, an Teachta Ãanna à Coinnigh, an coiste Rialtais faoin nGaeilge agus faoin nGaeltacht a athbhunú faoina chathaoirleacht féin. Tá dhá chruinniú den choiste tionólta aige go dtà seo, ceann i mà Aibreáin agus ceann an tseachtain seo caite. Is dóigh liom go léirÃonn sé seo tiomantas an Taoisigh don Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil sé toilteanach agus ábalta am suntasach a chur ar leataobh sa sceideal gnóthach atá aige chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise, in ainneoin an iliomad éileamh eile atá ar a chuid ama. Is léiriú é freisin ar thiomantas an Taoisigh i leith na Gaeilge go bhfuil cinneadh tógtha aige go mbeidh an straitéis 20 bliain faoi stiúir ag an Aire EalaÃon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus agam féin, mar Aire Stáit le cúram ar leith do ghnóthaà Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta.
à thaobh mo Roinne féin de, táthar ag tabhairt le dúthracht faoi chéim an bhunaithe den straitéis a chur chun cinn. Tá ionad straitéise bunaithe i mo Roinn atá freagrach as pleanáil agus feidhmiú na straitéise a threorú. Tá plean forfheidhmithe do chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise ag mo Roinnse i mbliana curtha i dtoll a chéile ag an ionad straitéise. Táthar ag ullmhú plean forfheidhmithe trà bliana, a bheidh le plé ar ball leis na prÃomhpháirtithe leasmhara, faoi láthair. Tá na céimeanna tosaigh tógtha ag an ionad straitéise chun grúpaà oibre a bhunú i gcomhar leis na prÃomhpháirtithe sin. Os rud é go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint le réimse gnÃmh an oideachais faoin straitéis 20 bliain, tá grúpa oibre ard-leibhéil bunaithe idir oifigigh ó mo Roinn agus oifigigh ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna. Tá an grúpa sin ag tabhairt tús áite do na tosaÃochtaà a aithint maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise i réimse gnÃmh an oideachais, ag tabhairt san áireamh na laincisà ar acmhainnà i láthair na huaire.
Cé is moite de réimse gnÃmh an oideachais, tá dhá ghrúpa oibre eile bunaithe ag an ionad straitéise ar mhaithe le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise. Tá grúpa oibre ard-leibhéil bunaithe idir oifigigh ó mo Roinn, ó Fhoras na Gaeilge agus ó Ãdarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an grúpa seo dÃrithe go háirithe ar scrúdú a dhéanamh ar fheidhmeanna reachtúla agus gnÃomhaÃochtaà na Roinne, an fhorais agus an údaráis sa chaoi is gur féidir a chinntiú go mbeidh an luach is fearr ar airgead ag an Státchiste agus nach mbeidh aon dúbláil soláthair ann mar thoradh ar chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise ag na páirtithe éagsúla. Tá grúpa oibre ard-leibhéil eile bunaithe idir mo Roinn féin, an Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus NuálaÃochta agus an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblà agus Athchóirithe chun plé a dhéanamh ar infheistÃocht fiontraÃochta sa Ghaeltacht.
Tá súil agam go dtugann sé seo léargas don Teach ar roinnt de na gnÃomhaÃochtaà atá tógtha le tamall anuas ag an Rialtas agus ag mo Roinn faoin straitéis 20 bliain. Mar is eol don Teach, is straitéis uaillmhianach à seo atá le cur i bhfeidhm thar thréimhse 20 bliain i naoi gcinn de réimsà gnÃmh éagsúla. Chuige sin, feictear dom go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an dtréimhse phleanála atá ar siúl ag an ionad straitéise i mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis na prÃomhpháirtithe leasmhara, faoi na grúpaà oibre atá bunaithe leo agus a bhfuil léargas tugtha agam ina leith. Tá mé ag súil le toradh crÃochnaitheach ar an bpróiseas seo go luath. Tá mé ag tnúth leis go mbeidh cinntà crÃochnúla ón Rialtas i leith na gcúrsaà seo le fógairt go luath, nà hamháin maidir leis na struchtúir fhorfheidhmithe do chur i bhfeidhm na straitéise ach fosta faoin mbealach ina socrófar teorainneacha na Gaeltachta sa todhchaÃ.
Maidir leis an nGaeltacht féin, cé gur oth liom é a rá, is ar éigean go dtabharfadh sé uchtach d'aon duine breathnú ar an staid ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht i láthair na huaire. Ar ndóigh, mar dhuine de bhunadh na Gaeltachta, tá taithà phearsanta agam féin ar mheath na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht le tamall de bhlianta anuas. Léirigh an staidéar teangeolaÃoch ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht go bhfuiltear iompaithe go mór i dtreo an Bhéarla sa Ghaeltacht agus go bhféadfadh nach mairfeadh an Ghaeilge mar theanga phobail agus theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht ach ar feadh 15 nó 20 bliain eile mura ndéanfaà gnÃomh ar bhonn práinne chun cúrsaà a leasú. Dá bhrà sin, teastaÃonn ón Rialtas gnÃomh fónta a dhéanamh faoin straitéis 20 bliain chun todhchaà na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a shlánú i gcomhar leis an bpobal ar an talamh gur leo an teanga. Mar atá ráite faoin straitéis, tá forbairt chóras cuimsitheach pleanála teanga ag an leibhéal pobail lárnach le cinntiú go mairfidh an Ghaeilge mar theanga phobail sa Ghaeltacht. I bhfianaise an taighde faoin staidéar teangeolaÃochta, bheinn báúil don choincheap go ndéanfaà foráil faoi Bhille Gaeltachta nua do shainmhÃniú reachtúil ar an nGaeltacht a bheadh bunaithe feasta ar chritéir theangeolaÃocha, le hais an tsainmhÃnithe mar a sheasann sé faoi láthair atá bunaithe ar limistéir shonracha gheografacha. CiallaÃonn sé seo go bhféadfaà stádas reachtúil a thabhairt faoi Bhille Gaeltachta do cheantair Gaeltachta le próifÃl theangeolaÃoch éagsúil acu. Bheadh cur chuige mar seo ag teacht go ginearálta le moltaà na straitéise agus le moltaà an staidéir teangeolaÃochta.
Sa chomhthéacs seo, nÃl aon dabht ach go bhfuil an-obair déanta ag Ãdarás na Gaeltachta ón uair a bunaÃodh é sa bhliain 1980, ag freagairt agus ag fógairt fhorbairt eacnamaÃochta, shóisialta agus chultúrtha na Gaeltachta. Mar dhuine de bhunadh na Gaeltachta, creidim gur éirigh le hÃdarás na Gaeltachta infheistÃocht shubstaintiúil a mhealladh chun na Gaeltachta thar na blianta agus go bhfuil sé thar a bheith tábhachtach a chinnteadh go leanfar leis an obair sin chun an pobal a choinneáil sa Ghaeltacht. Go deimhin, tá taithà phearsanta agam ar obair an Ãdaráis le blianta fada, mar ionadaà pobail do Dhún na nGall Thiar Theas, dáilcheantar a bhfuil limistéar substaintiúil Gaeltachta ann, agus tá moladh tugtha agam go minic don údarás as an méid atá bainte amach aige chun deiseanna fostaÃochta fiúntacha a chruthú na Gaeltachta.
In ainneoin go mbeidh fáil ag an údarás a theacht ar â¬6 mhilliún breise óna chuid eacmhainnà féin in mbliana a bheidh mar chuidiú don eagraÃocht a chuid spriocanna infheistÃochta a bhaint amach sa Ghaeltacht, aithnÃm go bhfuil an aeráid eacnamaÃochta reatha atá ann faoi láthair ag cruthú deacrachtaà suntasacha don eagraÃocht. Is sa chomhthéacs sin a bhfuil an Rialtas, faoin gcoiste Rialtais don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, ag déanamh athbhreithniú ar ról agus ar fheidhmeanna Ãdarás na Gaeltachta i gcomhthéacs fheidhmiú na straitéise.
Mar is eol do chách, nÃl an dara rogha ag an Rialtas, mar thoradh ar an ngéarchéim eacnamaÃoch ina bhfuilimid san am i láthair, ach athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar gach uile lÃne caiteachais. Ar ndóigh, nà féidir aon réimse a fhágáil ar lár ón athbhreithniú caiteachais cuimsithigh atá ar siúl ag Ranna Rialtais faoi láthair, réimse na Gaeilge san áireamh.
Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom a athdhearbhú go bhfuil an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht ar an gcloch is mó ar an phaidrÃn agamsa mar Aire Stáit. AithnÃm go mbeidh an bóthar atá romhainn amach achrannach, mar thoradh ar an ngéarchéim eacnamaÃoch ina bhfuil an tÃr. Geallaim don Teach seo, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, go ndéanfaidh mise mo dhÃcheall mar Aire Stáit ar mhaithe le teacht i gcabhair ar phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, chomh maith leis an Aire, cé go gcaithfimid a aithint nach féidir linne fanacht slán ón anfa eacnamaÃoch atá ag séideadh san am i láthair agus a bhfuil impleachtaà aige dúinn uile go léir.
In ainneoin sin, tá mise dóchasach go ndéanfaimid dul chun cinn suntasach faoin gclár Rialtais chun infheistÃocht fhiúntach a dhéanamh sa Ghaeilge agus sa Ghaeltacht faoin Straitéis 20 Bliain. Ar ndóigh, tá iliomad eagraÃochtaà ag saothrú i ngort na Gaeilge. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach, mar sin, go mbeadh na heagraÃochtaà seo uile ag obair as lámha a chéile ar mhaithe leis an straitéis a chur i gcrÃch. Tá sé seo nÃos tábhachtaà ná riamh san aeráid eacnamaÃoch reatha agus acmhainnà airgeadais an Stáit chomh tearc agus atá san i láthair.
Mar atá ráite cheana agam, is cúis sásaimh dom tiomantas pearsanta an Taoisigh don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, agus tá mé cinnte go mbeidh sé sin ina chuidiú mhór dúinn agus an obair seo á cur chun cinn. à mo thaobh féin de, tig liom a dhearbhú go mbeidh mise mar Aire Stáit ag obair go dlúth agus go dÃcheallach leis an Aire, an Teachta Deenihan, agus leis an gcoiste Rialtais san am amach romhainn chun spriocanna insheachadta na straitéise a chur i gcrÃch ar bhonn éifeachtúil ó thaobh costais de.
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Tá áthas orm deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar seo. D'éist mé go cúramach leis an méid a bhà le rá ag an Aire agus ag an Aire Stáit. Thug cuid den mhéid a bhà le rá aige misneach dom. Chuir cuid eile a bhà le rá aige fÃor droch-mhisneach orm.
Mar a dúirt an t-Aire Stáit é féin, tá an Ghaeilge, go mórmhór san nGaeltacht, faoi bhagairt. In ainneoin an dul chun cinn atá déanta ag an nGaeilge ar fud fad na tÃre, nÃl aon amhras faoi, mar gur pobail an-bheag iad na pobail Gaeltachta, ach go bhfuil an Ghaeilge faoi bhrú istigh san nGaeltacht féin agus i gcroà lár na Gaeltachta. Tá go leor cúiseanna leis sin. Tá roinnt cúiseanna stairiúil le daoine gan labhairt Gaeilge lena gclann ar fhaitÃos go dtiocfaidÃs thar sáile gan Béarla, rud nach dtarlódh ach go bhfuil imnà fós ag an bpobal faoi. Cúis eile ná go bhfuil daoine ag bogadh isteach san nGaeltacht an t-am ar fad, rud atá intuigthe. Pósann daoine isteach san nGaeltacht, agus mar sin de. Cuireann sé sin brú ar an teanga.
Cloisimid na leathscéalta ón Rialtas faoi bhrú airgid. Tá rud luachmhar sa tÃr seo, rud má chailltear é nach féidir a fháil ar ais go brách na breithe. Mar a scrÃobhadh sa bhliain 1950 nuair a bhà an tÃr seo faoi bhrú airgid, nár dÃobháltach an rud é dá gcaillfà an Ghaeilge agus muide i dtÃr saor nuair a mhair sà nuair a bhà daorsmacht sa tÃr. Cé mhéid airgid a thógfaidh sé, agus is airgead an-bheag ar fad atá i gceist as an Státchiste, leis an nGaeilge a thabhairt slán, ba cheart go dtiocfadh sé sin roimh aon rud eile. Mar a dúirt mé, is seoid luachmhar an Ghaeilge. Nà hamháin gur seoid náisiúnta à seo ach ar theangacha an domhain tá tábhacht stairiúil faoi leith ag baint leis an nGaeilge. Is à an teanga scrÃofa is sine ar an taobh seo des na hAilp. Bheadh an domhan mór thÃos leis dá gcaillfà an Ghaeilge.
Le deich mbliain anuas, tá go leor déanta ar son na Gaeilge. Bhà Coimisiún na Gaeilge againn, cuireadh Acht teanga i bhfeidhm agus tá a thoradh sin le feiceáil ar fud na tÃre. Anois, nuair a cuirtear comharthaÃocht poiblà suas tá sé dátheangach agus tá an Ghaeilge chomh mór leis an mBéarla. NÃl aon fhadhb ag éinne leis ach thóg sé na blianta, agus reachtaÃocht, len é sin a chur i bhfeidhm ar na heagraÃochtaà Stáit. Tuigtear anois nach bhfuil aon fhadhb sa tÃr seo, ag fáil thar na fadhbanna siceolaÃochta atá ann, agus rudaà atá indéanta i ngach uile thÃr eile ar domhain a dhéanamh anseo. Is é sin, comh-mheas a thabhairt don dá theanga oifigiúil i gcomharthaÃocht agus i rudaà den chineál sin.
Tá an-mheas agam ar an Teachta Mathews. Tá nós éigin sa Teach seo, muna bhfuil Gaeilge ag daoine nach bhfuil siad sásta na cluasáin a úsáid. Dá dtiocfadh na daoine céanna go dtà Parlaimint na hEorpa agus nach dtuigfeadh siad an Fhraincis nó an Ghearmáinis chuirfidÃs na cluasáin orthu agus nà bheadh nÃos mó faoi. Istigh sa Teach seo, b'fhearr leo gan eisteacht leat. B'fhéidir go mbeadh údar acu gan éisteacht linn scaitÃ. B'fhearr le daoine gan éisteach leat ná na cluasáin a chur orthu. Nà thuigim é sin. Muna bhfuil teanga agamsa agus má tá mé ag iarraidh a fháil amach céard atá duine ag rá cuirim orm na cluasáin agus tá mé ceart.
Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Tá an Teachta ar chúl an Teachta à CuÃv ag éisteacht agus na cluasáin air, ar aon chuma.
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Agus an ceart aige.
Chuireamar an t-Acht teanga in áit agus tá a thoradh sin le feiceáil. Chuireamar Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ar fáil agus, don chéad uair, nà raibh ar Ghaeilgeoirà a bheith ina gcnáimhseálaithe lena gcearta a fháil amach. Bhà na cearta sin soiléir ón Acht teanga. NÃl aon amhras faoi ach gur éirigh leis sin go leor de na fadhbanna a bhà ag Gaeilgeoirà seirbhÃs a fháil tré Ghaeilge a réiteach. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne sé soiléiriú céard nach bhfuil ar fáil tré Ghaeilge agus nach bhfuil sé de cheart na seirbhÃsà nach bhfuil rianaithe san Acht a fháil.
Bua mór millteach a fuair muid ná an Ghaeilge a aithint mar theanga oifigiúil oibre san Aontas Eorpach. Is sciobtha a rinne daoine dearmad ar chomh mór is a bhà sé sin mar bhua ag an Rialtas. Anois glactar leis an nGaeilge mar a chéile le gach uile theanga oifigiúil de chuid an Aontais.
Ansin, rinneamar an staidéar teangeolaÃochta. Tar éis go bhfuil eolas ansin a chuirfeadh faitÃos agus sceoin ort, theastaÃodh é a dhéanamh, mar nÃl aon mhaith plean a bhunú ach ar an bhfÃrinne. Chomh maith leis sin, choimisinigh muid suirbhé a rinne an t-Athair Micheál Mac Gréil maidir le dearcadh i leith na Gaeilge, atá thar a bheith dearfach dála an scéil. Is dream in-ghrúpa iad muintir na Gaeilge. ArÃs thaispeáin sé an fhadhb atá againn in Ãirinn, is é sin an bearna idir eolas agus úsáid. Tá roinnt leide aige sa tuarastáil sin le cén chaoi an bearna sin a laghdú.
Ansin, tháinig muid anÃos leis Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Nà beag an méid oibre é sin san iomlán is an uilig thar an tréimhse ama atá i gceist mar, mar is eol don Aire Stáit, tógann sé tamall na rudaà seo ar fad a chur trÃd an bpróiseas Rialtais agus an bpróiseas Oireachtais. Ach, tá siad ar fad déanta.
Tá an Rialtas tagtha isteach ag am go bhfuil plean 20 bliain ann, go ndeachaigh muid go dtà an dua ar fad le haontas tras-pháirtà a fháil dó. Sin an fáth gur chuir caint an Aire Stáit sceoin orm inniu. Nuair a chuir muid an straitéis le chéile, is é a bhà i gceist ná go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm à ó chlúdach go clúdach. Sin an fáth gur chaith muid bliain ag iarraidh comhaontaithe na bpáirtithe éagsúla sa Teach seo a fháil. De réir mar a thuig mé nuair a foilsÃodh Ã, bhà aontas ó ghach páirtà sa Teach gur tosaÃocht náisiúnta a bhà sa phlean 20 bliain, ach cloisim caint inniu ar spriocanna indéanta a chur i bhfeidhm. An tuairim a bhà taobh thiar den phlean 20 bliain ná go raibh an rud ar fad indéanta. Cuireadh go leor rudaà ar aghaidh ag na heagraÃochtaà Gaeilge agus ag grúpaà nach iad nach raibh indéanta, ach nÃor cuireadh sa phlean iad. D'fhoilsigh muid dréacht ionas nach mbeadh rudaà mianta, mar a bhÃodh i bpleananna fadó, nach raibh indéanta sa phlean agus ionas go mbeadh an plean ar fad indéanta. Más rud é gurb é atá i gceist ag an Rialtas codanna den phlean a chur i bhfeidhm, nÃl aon mhaith leis. Tá teip i ndán dó. Tá teip i ndán dó ó thaobh na Gaeltachta de agus teip i ndán dó ó thaobh na Gaeilge i gcoitinne sa tÃr. Cuireann sin iontas orm. Más é sin atá i gceist ag an Rialtas - tá súil agam nach ea - cuirfidh muid in aghaidh gach seasamh siar ón bplean seo, lá i ndiaidh lae. Dar liomsa, is é an plean iomlán atá i gceist anseo.
Tá tagairt déanta ag an Rialtas seo aige leasaithe a dhéanamh ar an Acht Teanga. NÃl mise in aghaidh athbhreithnithe a dhéanamh ar rud ar bith ag am ar bith. An chomhairle a fuair muide ón tArd-Aighne nuair a chuir muid an straitéis i bhfeidhm, nó nach raibh sé bunreachtúil dul siar ar aon rud san Acht ach go gcaithfeadh muid dul ar aghaidh, mar gur aidhm náisiúnta à an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Más é atá i gceist ag an Rialtas, lagú a dhéanamh ar na bunchearta san Acht Teanga, cuirfear in aghaidh sin, mar is cearta iad. Is cearta ar dhá leibhéal iad. Is cearta iad mar gur à an Ghaeilge céad teanga oifigiúil an Stáit agus an teanga náisiúnta agus is cearta iad mar is mionlach iad lucht labhartha na Gaeilge sa tÃr seo. Tá na cearta sin le cosaint, ach déantar dearmad ar sin. Déantar dearmad go bhfuil cearta ag lucht na Gaeilge, mionlach de bhunú Ãireannach sa tÃr seo, fiú mura mbeadh aon sprioc náisiúnta ann maidir leis an Ghaeilge. Is minic a cheiltear an cheart sin ar phobal na Gaeilge.
Mar a dúirt an Breitheamh Hardiman, is ceist don saoránach Ã. Sin an rud céanna a dúirt Micheál Mac Gréil sa tuarascáil. Caithfidh an rogha a bheith ag an saoránach, cén teanga a úsáidfidh sé nó sà leis an Stát. Nà cheist don Stát à a bheith ag bagairt ar an saoránach maidir le húsáid teanga. Mar a dúirt an breitheamh sa bhreithiúnas, cuireann an Stát dualgaisà troma ar an saoránach. Caithfidh muid go leor tuarascálacha cánach a lÃonadh, caithfimid foirmeacha a lÃonadh le haghaidh gach rud, rud a chuireann dua ar an saoránach. Dúirt sé nach raibh leithscéal ar bith ag an Stát, mar cuireann forálacha Stáit - na dualgaisà Stáit - anró agus brú ar an Stát, mar gur sin nádúr an dualgais atá ar an Stát.
Maidir le hÃdarás na Gaeltachta, nÃl aon soiléiriú faighte againn fós an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Rialtas seasamh leis an rud atá sa phlean 20 bliain, is é sin go bhfágfar na cúraimà ar fad atá ag an údarás agus ag Roinn na Gaeltachta ag an Roinn agus ag an údarás. An gcuirfear le cumhachtaà an údaráis, mar a bhà i gceist sa straitéis? ArÃs, san athbhreithiú atá á bhagairt orainn ag an Aire Stáit, is é an tuiscint a fhaighim ná gur laghdú, cúngú agus maolú ar chumhachtaà an údaráis atá i gceist.
Ba mhaith liom béim a chur ar mhÃthuiscint a d'éirigh ó na moltaà a rinne mise mar Aire maidir le hÃdarás na Gaeltachta. Mhol mise go bhféadfadh an Rialtas cúraimà a leagaint ar an údarás, mar is féidir a dhéanamh leis an Roinn agus leis an gcoimisinéir teanga, a mbeadh tionchar acu nó éifeacht acu taobh amuigh de theorainneacha teoranta na Gaeltachta. An smaoineamh a bhà agam ná nach bhfaca mé cúis ar bith nach bhféadfadh an t-údarás plé le, mar shampla, na naÃonraà ar fud na tÃre ón Ghaeltacht, ach go mbeadh cuid de d de na naÃonraà a mbeadh siad ag freastal orthu, ó thaobh cúnamh agus comhairle, taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. D'fhéadfaidÃs, mar shampla, téacsleabhair Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do chuile scoil sa tÃr gan a bheith teoranta go reachtúil do lÃntà ar léarscáil, mar is é an t-ábhar céanna atá á mhúineadh sna scoileanna ar fud na tÃre. Sin a bhà i gceist agam. Cuirfeadh lonnú an choimisiúin sa Ghaeltacht fostaÃocht breise ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht. Chomh maith le sin, ba cheart go mbeadh an Ghaeltacht mar an phrÃomh chathair ó thaobh seirbhÃsà a chur ar fáil, nà amháin do lucht na Gaeltachta, atá teoranta go maith, ach don iliomad Gaeilgeoirà atá ar fud na tÃre.
An dara rud nár thuig mé riamh agus nár thuig daoine - ach táim cinnte go dtuigeann an Teachta Adams é seo i bhfad Ãireann nÃos fearr ná éinne sa Teach seo - ná go raibh daoine ag rá go raibh an foras ann le freastal ar na ceantair atá taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Ach is foras Thuaidh-Theas é An Foras Teanga agus le rud ar bith a fheidhmiú sa Stát seo trÃd an bhForas Teanga, nà h-amháin go gcaithfidh muid aontas an Rialtais a fháil, ach caithfimid aontas an fheidhmeannas ó Thuaidh a fháil. Is é sin le rá go gcaithfear aontas, mar shampla, an DUP, a fháil le forbairt a dhéanamh trÃd an fhoras. Sin à an fhÃric. Tá a fhios sin agamsa mar iar Aire, agus geobhaidh an tAire Stáit amach é sin. Fair play don DUP, ghlac sé le rudaà áirithe, ach nÃor ghlac sé le rudaà eile, agus mar a chéile le Sinn Féin ó Thuaidh. Ach nÃl mise sásta mar shaoránach den Stát ceannasach neamhspleách seo go mbeadh aon dream taobh amuigh den Stát in ann teorann a chur leis an méid a dhéanfadh muide don chéad teanga oifigiúil. Mar sin, caithfidh muid deiseanna a bheith againn le polasaà Ghaeilge an Stáit seo, nà an oileán seo, a chur i bhfeidhm ar fud an Stáit.
Tá an-chuid sa straitéis faoin oideachas. Nà cheart go mbeadh méid na gaelscoileanna mar leithscéal gan an Ghaeilge a múineadh ceart i chuile scoil sa tÃr. Beidh formhór na gasúr go brách ag dul chuig scoileanna nach gaelscoileanna iad. Freisin, is à aidhm na straitéise ná go dtosófar ag múineadh na Gaeilge i chuile glúin taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht as an nua agus go bhfásadh glúin óg anÃos in Ãirinn taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht go mbeadh an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth theanga teaghlaigh ón gcéad lá sa chliabhán. Sin à aidhm na straitéise agus sin é an fáth go bhfuil an figiúr sin faoin 250,000 cainteoir laethúil Gailge. NÃl aon chiall le polasaà a mhúineann Gaeilge don ghlúin seo agus nuair a bheirtear an chéad ghlúin eile gur Béarla a bhÃonn aige ar dtús agus go gcaithfear tosú as an nua an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh, i gciorcal go deo. Má leanann muid leis an polasaà sin, nà thiocfaidh an Ghaeilge chun cinn go brách. Caithfidh lÃon na ndaoine a labhrann Gaeilge go deonach agus go roghnaÃoch lena gclann a mhéadú, nà amháin sa Ghaeltacht ach taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá daoine á dtógadh le Gaeilge ar fud na tÃre, taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht chomh maith le taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht. Is ar an ábhar sin go bhfuil dÃomá orm go bhfuil an laghad sin trácht ag eagraÃochtaà Gaeilge, gluaiseacht na Gaeilge agus ag an dream atá ag plé leis an phlean seo faoin t-am atá ann leis an gcoincheap don ghréasán Gaeltachta, bunaithe ar na gaelscoileanna, a chur i gcrÃch, le nach mbeadh an fáinne fiáin ann do chuile ghlúin a dtiontaigh ar an Ghaeilge go mbeidh an chéad glúin nua eile ag tosú ar ais arÃs san áit ar thosaigh muid.
Tá sé fÃor thábhachtach go mbrúfar ar aghaidh, roimh an reachtaÃocht, leis an gcoincheap seo don ghréasán Gaeltachta, bunaithe ar na gaelscoileanna, na naÃonraà taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, le pobal Gaeilge a thógadh sna cathracha. Tá sé cruthaithe gurb iad an dream is báúla don Ghaeilge, an áit is mó ar tháinig feabhas ar dhearcadh i leith na teanga, ná an dream sna ceantair meánaicmeacha sa chathair seo, an áit a tógadh mé féin mar a tharlaÃonn sin. Dúirt an tAire Stáit trà nó ceithre uair gur de bhunadh na Gaeltachta é. Tá mo shaol fásta tugtha agamsa sa Ghaeltacht, go roghnaitheach, mar rinne me an cinneadh dul ann. Ach tá mé thar a bheith bródúil as mo chúlra cathrach. Tá mé thar a bheith bródúil gur tugadh an bunús sa teanga dom istigh sa chathair seo. Creidim go bhfuil dul amú ar éinne a chreideann gur à todhchaà agus tús deiridh na Gaeilge ná an Ghaeltacht scoite amach ón chuid eile den tÃr. Ãr dteanga náisiúnta, a bhfuil a tobar sa Ghaeltacht, creidim gur cheart dúinn dul ar aghaidh agus nach féidir dul ar aon bhealach eile.
Bhà mé ag cruinniú agus d'fhógair an tAire Iompair, an Teachta Varadkar, go raibh éiginnteacht ann maidir le seirbhÃsà aeir go hÃrann, an Ghaeltacht fÃorláidir sin, na hOileáin Ãrainn, tar éis 2013 agus go ndúirt an Roinn Gnóthaà Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta leis é sin.
Tá súil agam, agus an tAire Stáit ag freagairt na dÃospóireachta, go ndearbhóidh sé dúinn nach bhfuil ceist dá laghad ann go ndéanfar maolú nó go gcuirfear deireadh leis na seiribhÃsà aeir go hÃrainn in 2013 nuair a bheidh an conradh atá ann i láthair na huaire caite. Ba thragóid agus ba eagóir ag ceann de na Gaeltachta is láidre sa tÃr ar smaoineofaà a leithéid de sin a dhéanamh.
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith liom buÃochas a ghlacadh leis an Aire Stáit as ucht an dÃospóireacht seo a bheith ann ar iarratas ó cheannaire Shinn Féin. Tá dÃoma orm freisin nach féidir linn na ceisteanna a bhà eagraithe againn a chur ar an Aire Stáit maidir le cúrsaà Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Bhà naoi gceist curtha isteach agam agus nà phléifear iad go dtà lár Mheithimh. Tá sin go huafásach mar is ceist phráinneach à an Ghaeilge.
I saol na Gaeilge táimid ag pointe tábhachtach agus práinneach. Léirigh an Staidéar Cuimsitheach TeangeolaÃochta ar Ãsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht go bhféadfadh an Ghaeilge bás a fháil taobh istigh de 20 bliain mura dtógfaà céimeanna suntasacha chun dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb. Tá sin dochreidte - go mbeidh deireadh leis an Ghaeilge i saol na Gaeltachta taobh istigh de 20 bliain agus is mór an náire a bheidh ar ghlúin s'againne má tharlaÃonn sin.
FoilsÃodh an tuarscáil sin i 2007, agus ciallÃonn nach bhfuil fágtha ag an Ghaeilge ach thart ar 16 bliain. Tá dúshlán uafásach os ár gcomhair. Mar thoradh ar an tuarascáil sin, ghlac gach páirtà sa Dáil, páirtithe an Rialtais seo san áireamh, d'aon ghuth leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Dhearbhaigh na páirtithe Rialtais arÃs sa chlár chomhaontaithe Rialtais go dtabharfaidh siad tacaÃocht don straitéis ach nà ionann an méid a deir siad agus an méid atá siad ag déanamh. Go deimhin, tá ráitis áirithe déanta acu atá glan i gcoinne na moltaà sa straitéis, ar nós deireadh a chur le Gaeilge éigeantach san ardteistiméireacht, deireadh a chur le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge, agus rialacha a dhéanfaidh sé nÃos déine Gaelscoileanna a bhunú. Bhà mé ag labhairt le muintir na GaelscolaÃochta i rith na seachtaine seo caite agus dúirt siad go bhfuil sé i bhfad nÃos deacra anois Gaelscoil a bhunú. Cad é dearcadh an Rialtais ar an Ghaeilge i ndáirÃre?
Tá sé molta sa straitéis go mbeadh coiste Rialtais, ar a mbeidh an Taoiseach ina chathaoirleach, ag déanamh maoirseachta ar an dul chun cinn. An bhfuil an coiste bunaithe agus cad iad na hacmhainnà atá ar fáil dó? An bhfuil baint ag an Taoiseach leis an choiste go fóill agus an bhfuil sé ag coimeád súil ar na hábhair atá á bplé ag an choiste? An mbeidh seans ag na páirtithe eile sa Dáil cúnamh a thabhairt don choiste sin?
Tá béim mhór freisin ar oiliúint mhúinteoirà atá lÃofa sa Ghaeilge agus is cúspóir é ionad náisiúnta gairmfhorbartha do mhúinteoirà trà mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar bun ach cá bhfuil sé? Mura gcuirtear tús leis an obair seo láithreach, cén chaoi go mbeidh seans ann an teanga a tharrtháil, gan trácht ar an sprioc 250,000 cainteoirà lÃofa a bheith sa tÃr faoi 2030 a bhaint amach?
Nà léir don phobal go bhfuil tosaÃocht á tabhairt ag an Rialtas don Ghaeilge ná don straitéis. Mar thoradh air sin, nÃl an Rialtas ag baint tairbhe iomlán as na deiseanna fostaÃochta, oideachais agus turasóireachta a bhaineann léi. Go deimhin, bhà an Rialtas deireanach agus an Rialtas nua in ainm céimithe óga breise a oiliúint le dul ag obair mar aistritheoirà san Aontas Eorpach ach nÃl sin déanta go fóill ach oiread.
Is féidir leis an Rialtas seo rudaà simplà agus úsáideacha a dhéanamh ar son na Gaeilge. Tá an-chuid oibre déanta ag Sinn FéÃn agus molaimid don Rialtas glacadh leis na pointà seo agus iad a chur i bhfeidhm. Ar dtús, ba cheart go mbeidh cur chuige uile-Ãireann ar fhorbairt na Gaeilge. Is rud iontach tábhachtach é an comhionannas, cearta mhuintir na Gaeilge san áireamh; caithfidh go mbeidh siad in ann seirbhÃsà a fhail ón stáit trà Ghaeilge. Ba cheart go mbeadh na hacmhainnà cearta ag na eagraÃochtaà atá ag obair ar son na Gaeilge chun infrastruchtúr an athbheochain a cruthú. Is iad na Gaeltachtaà croÃ-lár na teanga agus caithfimid iad a chosaint, a thacú agus a fhorbairt. Mura bhfuil todhchaà ann don Ghaeltacht, beidh fadhb mhór ag an Ghaeilge as seo amach. Tá aithne agam ar dhaoine atá ag obair ar son na Gaeilge i nGaeltacht Ráth Cairn ach tá fadhb ann don ghlúin óg, nÃl an Ghaeilge chomh láidir acu ná mar atá ag an ghlúin a chuaigh roimpi. Tá obair le déanamh againn mar gheall air sin.
Ba cheart go mbeadh neart acmhainnà ag an Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais agus go mbeadh ceart bunreachtúil ag daoine oideachas lán-Ghaeilge a fháil. Tá rudaà uafásacha déanta don chóras GaelscolaÃochta agus don choimheas idir múinteoirà agus páistÃ. Tá an buntáiste sin scriosta anois. Tá coistà timpeall na tÃre ag iarraidh Gaelscoileanna nua a bhunú ach nÃl siad ann mar gheall ar an athrú beartais a tharla sa Roinn Oideachais agus EolaÃochta.
Nà mór don chóras dlà agus don earnáil phoiblà a bheith oscaÃlte do phobal na Gaeilge. Nà mór do Rialtas na Breataine agus Rialtas Phoblacht na hÃireann a ngealltanais maidir le hAchtanna teangacha oifigiúla a chur i bhfeidhm. Caithfimid tacú le forbairt na meáin chumarsáide Gaelacha sa Deisceart agus sa Tuaisceart freisin. Tá an-chuid daoine ag obair le Gaelsceál, le Raidió na Gaeltachta, Foinse agus le grúpaà eile mar sin ach caithfimid, mar pholaiteoirÃ, tacaÃocht a thabhairt dóibh.
Tá stair fhada bhródúil ag an Ghaeilge sa tÃr seo. Tá sà á labhairt againn ar feadh 2,000 bliain. Tá grá agus meas ag móramh na ndaoine fós uirthi agus tá an-chuid oibre déanta ag eagraÃochtaà iontacha timpeall na tÃre. Tá fás ag teacht uirthi in áiteanna ach nà leor sin. Mar a luaigh mé cheana, tá tacaÃocht an Rialtais ag laghdú. Bhà baill Rialtais iontach sásta leis an méid Gaeilge a labhair BanrÃon Shasana agus an tUachtarán Barack Obama. Tá sé dochreidte go bhfuil nÃos mó Gaeilge ar shuÃomh IdirlÃne BhanrÃon Shasana ná ar shuÃomh IdirlÃne Fhine Gael nó an Lucht Oibre. Mura ndéanaimid féin mar pháirtithe obair ar son na Gaeilge, nà dhéanfaidh éinne eile an obair.
NÃl an Rialtas seo i ndáirÃre faoin Ghaeilge. Mura n-athraÃonn an Rialtas a aigne agus a bheartas, beidh an Ghaeilge caillte ag an ghlúin seo mar theanga bheo go deo. ImpÃm ar an Rialtas, in áit bheith ag caint faoin Ghaeilge, go dtosóidh sé ag obair ar an straitéis 20 bliain anois dÃreach.
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an dÃospóireacht seo. Tá sé tábhachtach go bhfuil sà ag dul ar aghaidh. Tá súil agam go mbeidh i bhfad nÃos mó plé anseo faoin Ghaeilge, mar a dúirt an Teachta TóibÃn. Ba cheart dúinn i bhfad nÃos mó gnó a dhéanamh trà Ghaeilge amach anseo. Is é sin an fÃs a bhà ag na daoine a bhunaigh an Pharlaimint seo. Tá súil agam go spreagfaidh an dÃospóireacht GaeilgeoirÃ, foghlaimeoirà agus daoine atá báúil don Ghaeilge Thuaidh agus Theas. Labhróidh mé faoin Tuaisceart inniu. Má tá dÃospóireacht eile againn ar an nGaeilge sa todhchaÃ, labhróidh mé faoi chursaà Gaeilge an Stáit seo.
Ag tús an phróiséas sÃochána agus i rith na cainteanna roimh Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta, chuir Sinn Féin ceist na Gaeilge sa Tuaisceart agus ar an oileán ar fad, ar an chlár. Tháinig aitheantas don Ghaeilge agus Foras na Gaeilge agus - don chéad uair - tacaÃocht don Ghaeilge sna Sé Chontae as sin. Tháinig feabhas mór ar stádas ár dteanga náisiúnta sa Tuaisceart ó shin. Nà aithnÃonn an Ghaeilge aon teorann ar an oileán seo. Is teanga uile-Ãireannach Ã. Má táimid chun à a athshlanú, is ar bhonn uile-Ãireannach a dhéantar é. Baineann tábhacht le Foras na Gaeilge. Caithfidh an fhoras tacaÃocht leanúnach a fháil ón dá thaobh den Teorainn chun cuidiú lena chuid oibre.
Is linn uilig an teanga, gan aird ar pé creideamh nó dearcadh polaitiúil atá againn. NÃl bagairt ar bith ann. Caithfimid é seo a chur ina luà ar Rialtas na Breataine agus go háirithe ar ár gcairde, na nAontachtaithe. Ba cheart dúinn an fÃs atá againn maidir leis an nGaeilge a mhÃniú dóibh. Nà mór dúinn leiriú dóibh nach bagairt dóibh forbairt na Gaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach. Tá Sinn Féin ag iarraidh pobal de chainteoirà Gaeilge a thógáil sa Tuaisceart. Beidh scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge, áiseanna sóisialta, clubanna óige, féidearthachtaà gairme agus na meáin cumarsáide mar pháirt den phobal sin. Beidh dlÃthe ar fáil chun na cearta éagsúla a chosaint sna cúirteanna.
Tá Sinn Féin ag déanamh a ndÃcheall sa Roinn Oideachais ó Thuaidh chun an ghaeloideachais a fhorbairt. Nuair a bhà CaitrÃona Ruane mar Aire ann, thug sà deontais do chlubanna óige Ghaeilge ar fud an Tuaisceart. Leanfaidh an Aire nua ar aghaidh leis an obair sin. NÃl obair mar sin ar siúl anseo, áfach. Nuair a bhfuair Sinn Féin airgead ó Rialtas na Breataine chun na crÃche sin, bhà argóint agus troid mhór i Hillsborough. Fuaireamar airgead fá choinne an ciste craoltóireachta chun ciste infheistÃochta a bhunú a chuideodh le forbairt gréasán cultúrlanna. Tá Gaeilgeoirà ó Thuaidh ag iarraidh Gaeltachtaà uirbeacha a chruthú. Is rud an-tábhachtach é sin.
Labhrann go leor daoine sna cathracha an Ghaeilge. Roimhe seo, b'iad muintir na tuaithe is mó a úsáid an teanga. Rud eile atá i gceist anois. B'fhéidir go bhfuil nÃos mó daoine i mBéal Feirste ag caint Gaeilge gach lá ná i mBaile Ãtha Cliath, taobh amuigh den Uachtarán Obama agus BanrÃon Shasana. NÃl a fhios agam. Má tá na hiarrachtaà éagsúla le bheith nÃos éifeachtaÃ, caithfimid forbairt a dhéanamh ar bhonn uile-Ãireannach leis an chomhoibriú idir na hinstitiúdaà ar an dá chuid den oileán. Caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil Sinn Féin an-sásta oibriú leis an Aire, an Teachta à Duibhneacháin. Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis agus tá súil agam go n-éireoidh an t-ádh leis. Beidh Carál Nà ChuilÃn, mar Aire sa Tuisceart, ag obair leis an Aire, an Teachta à Duibhneacháin.
Ag an uair seo, tá penal law á chur ar aghaidh sa Tuaisceart. The Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 decrees that all proceedings in courts of justice, mar dhea, in the North have to be within the English language. In effect, 80 miles up the road from here, the Irish language is illegal in the courts of law. Tá sé sin an-mÃcheart. Táimid ag déanamh ár ndÃcheall é a athrú, ach is jab mór é sin don Aire nua. Tá gá ann deireadh a chur leis an dlà seo anois.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I wish to share time with Deputy Luke Flanagan.
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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I am one of those who went through the education system with Irish as a compulsory examination subject, even going to the Gaeltacht on several occasions. While I have the cúpla focail, I can only just about follow a conversation in Irish and cannot hold one in it. Yet, I feel I have made a contribution towards the revival of the language by sending both my children to a gaelscoil.
In the early days of the gaelscoileanna, there was great resistance to recognising many of the schools. The quality of the classrooms was of a much poorer standard than those I was educated in decades earlier. The revival of the language and the large increase in those speaking it has not come from the Gaeltacht but from urban areas. The phenomenon was almost an anti-establishment revival, rather than a product of the establishment towards the development of the language. I recall seeing children outside my children's gaelscoil gates have their little arguments through Irish. It came naturally to them as the command language in the school was Irish. In many ways, it was a language revival rather than a cultural revival.
I was a member of my children's school's parent committee. While the majority of members spoke Irish and, despite the fact most meetings were conducted through Irish, they made sure I was included because I was reflective of so many others in the school. There was an absence of elitism. While there was a cultural dimension in the school such as Irish dancing and Gaelic games, the culture in the school remained urban. Great effort was made to translate appropriate text books and reading material for use in the school, which were not readily available, an example of the resistance to these schools.
If we are to grow the language, we cannot be elitist about it. We have a Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, but none with the sole or co-ordinating responsibility for language revival. It is somewhat paradoxical that there is no equality of treatment. The remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, is to promote the social, physical and economic development of the Gaeltacht areas and to strengthen Irish as the principal language in the Gaeltacht, in particular in terms of passing it on from one generation to the next. The Department seeks to achieve these objectives through its own programmes and schemes and the bodies under its aegis. The key underlying objective of Government policy in this regard is to maintain the primacy of the Irish language and its related culture in the Gaeltacht. However, in being exclusive in regard to where the language is protected, we give greater emphasis to rural culture and ignore new avenues for revival of the language. I am not against holding on to what we have in Gaeltacht areas because it is unique. However, this approach is, in my opinion, exclusive. Development of the language needs to be inclusive.
I look forward to the day when Irish at leaving certificate level is taken by choice rather than compulsion. I am not in favour of Irish not being a compulsory subject because I believe that if it is not compulsory, many students will drop it. However, this could be considered as an interim or short-term measure. The culture in terms of how Irish is taught is important. One cannot exclude urban people from that culture, which is very often the case. Many people who want to see a revival of the language are not particularly interested in Irish dancing or Gaelic games, which is fine. I watch Spanish football through the medium of Irish and it is quite entertaining. There are some people who believe Irish has to encompass all things or nothing. This creates a resistance in some people, which is not in the interests of the continued revival of the language.
The Minister's remit needs to be much wider than Gaeltacht affairs. It should include a co-ordinating function for the development of the Irish language. While the Department of Education and Skills has a role in relation to Irish schools and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has a role in relation to broadcasting, there is no co-ordination between these Departments. Also, I do not believe this issue is being driven at Cabinet level.
There are a number of reasons people who have been through the primary and secondary education systems lose their Irish, including a lack of opportunity to speak it, the need to use it, the manner in which it was taught and its relevance or irrelevance. We must examine the curriculum from this perspective. I was fortunate enough to get a response today to a parliamentary question I submitted only this morning in relation to the 1996 and 2006 census. In 2006, some 235,000 more people than in 1996 could speak Irish, which is positive. Some 12,000 of those people live in the Gaeltacht and 223,000 do not. We must look at where we are going to grow the language in terms of numbers.
I do not have a difficulty with the Gaeltacht being viewed as a unique area that needs to be protected. However, we must be much more inclusive and this needs to happen at Cabinet level.
Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Some people might think this a less important issue than our banking debt, health service and so on. However, I believe it is equally important. It is the essence of who we are. If, as some people have predicted, the Irish language dies out, we will have to hang our heads in shame. We have so many things for which to hang our heads in shame these days that were we to hang them any more they would break.
In my experience, and that of my friends and school mates, learning the Irish language was the highest form of torture known to humankind. Although at school my class was not the "smart class" we were expected, despite not knowing what "NÃ thuigim" meant, to speak in Irish about the symbolism of An Droimeann Donn DÃlÃs, My Faithful Brown Cow. We did not even know how to ask for a loaf of bread in Irish, yet we were learning about the symbolism of My Faithful Brown Cow. Many people I know, who are good communicators, would have difficulty describing in written form the symbolism of My Faithful Brown Cow, yet we, who did not know what "NÃ thuigim" meant, were expected to do so. The only policy then was that Irish be made compulsory. However, just because something is compulsory does not mean one will be good at it. If it was made compulsory in the morning that everyone in this country should run 100 metres in less than ten seconds, that would not happen. To be able to do that would require people to be properly trained or, perhaps, genetically modified. Making something compulsory will not make it happen.
When I left school I despised the Irish language with a passion. The only time I enjoyed Irish was when I had to speak it for my oral examination. It was the first time I ever spoke Irish. During that examination I was asked who I thought was the best golfer in the world to which I replied Ignatius Hayden, a man who played at Castlerea golf course. The interviewer laughed and told me she had asked not who was the best golfer in Castlerea but who was the best golfer in the world. However, when I left the examination, which I thought was fun, I regretted I had not learned how to speak Irish. I decided then that although I had failed to do so, I would, if I had children, ensure they did not.
I was told that one of the main reasons people did not like the Irish language was because of a negative attitude. While I am a little concerned I might be teaching my children incorrect Irish, I try my best. I use phrases like "Léim isteach sa charr" and " "gabh i leith". My children love the Irish language - at least they did so until they turned eight years of age. Two years ago, when I asked my then my six year old daughter and her classmates what they thought of Irish they said they loved it. My now eight year old daughter recently told me when I asked her what she thinks of Irish that she hates it, that it is boring and irrelevant and that all her classmates think the same. What has changed? They have moved on from having a bit of craic in Irish, playing bingo and other games. They now have to write it and their hands are getting sore and they find it boring and irrelevant. I accept that some subjects require hard grafting. However, we are speaking here about a language, which is about communicating and having fun expressing oneself. Why can Irish not always be taught as it is when children are six years old? Other strands could be set up to cater for those wanting to express the symbolism of My Faithful Brown Cow.
Prior to being elected to Government, Fine Gael had a fantastic idea when it elected my constituency colleague, Deputy Frank Feighan, as their spokesman on Irish. While Deputy Feighan got a lot of ribbing for not being fluent in Irish - he may be now - I believe that was a great idea.
Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Go raibh maith agat.
Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Like me, Deputy Feighan would have a good understanding of how not to teach Irish. If one knows how not to teach it, then one at least has some idea of how to teach it. From the perspective of most people not having a clue about Irish, this was a good idea. The Deputy could have learned the language along with the public and we could have progressed together.
There is hope for the Irish language if it is approached in the right way. I think Des Bishop has done more for the Irish language than any politician. I do not say that to run down politicians. I have a few ideas on what could be done. I exchange texts with one of my friends solely in Irish. I do not have the náire or the embarrassment of making a fool of myself, as I might in spoken Irish, of getting it wrong and not communicating properly. There is a translation dictionary and before I reply to a text, I can get all the words perfectly. For the past year we have communicated like this and it works. Someone who did not know how to say "nà thuigim" in the Irish language can now communicate through text messaging. I suggest, perhaps for seachtain na Gaeilge, that people text in Irish for a whole week. Perhaps for one day of the year we could have a text-in-Irish day. That would make using Irish cool and trendy. It is something young people absolutely and utterly love doing. There is hope for the Irish language if we take the issue seriously. The way around the problem is to make it relevant and interesting for people and tie in technology. TG4 is a massive help. My daughters can watch cartoons in Irish. The language is relevant and real and that is how we will save it.
I hope the next generation of Members of the Oireachtas will not need headphones. I do not use them much of the time, even though I do not completely understand what people are saying, because that forces me into trying to understand them. If I used headphones, I would become lazy. Today as I had to understand everything that was being said, I wore them. I probably understood more, but I did not learn much about Irish by listening to the English translation.
There is hope for the Irish language and if we go down the right road, we can save it. We can be proud that we did not abandon or destroy it.
Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Caithfimid a bheith cinnte go bhfuil tábhacht ar leith ag baint lenár dteanga, lenár n-oidhreacht agus lenár gcultúr dúchais. Is saibhreas iad. Ba chóir go mbeimÃs bródúil astu. Tá sé riachtanach dúinn achan iarracht a dhéanamh chun an Ghaeilge a cosaint agus a húsáid. Tá dualgas faoi leith orainn-ne san Oireachtas dea-shampla a thabhairt don tÃr maidir le labhairt na teanga. Sin an fáth go bhfuil mé lán-sásta páirt a ghlacadh sa dÃospóireacht seo agus an iarracht seo a dhéanamh.
Tá an-ghrá agam don teanga agus do litrÃocht na tÃre. An rud is tábhachtaà do fhorbairt na Gaeilge ná go mbeadh grá ag na daoine don teanga agus bród acu aisti. NÃl mé chun dul isteach go cruinn sa dÃospóireacht mar gheall ar Ghaeilge éigeanntach san árd teistiméireacht, ach le rud amháin a rá. Má tá an Ghaeilge éiginnteach agus gan à a bheith i gcroà na mac léinn, nà fiú à a theagasc. Ag féachaint siar, tá sé soiléir nár chabhraigh Gaeilge éiginnteach le hathbheochan na teanga. Chun an teanga labhartha a cothú ba chóir go mbeadh scrúdú béil sa teistiméireacht sóisearach. Chuirfeadh sin béim ar an teanga labhartha. Thabharfadh sé spreagadh dos na daltaà agus, ar ndóigh, dos na múinteoirÃ. Molaim don Aire Stáit plé leis an smaoineamh sin.
I rith m'óige, chaith mé tréimhsà sa Ghaeltacht i dTÃr Chonaill, thart ar an Bhun Beag agus na háiteanna sin, agus bhain mé an-sult as. Chuaigh mac liom go dtà an Ghaeltachta anuraidh agus beidh sé ag dul ar ais, ar a thoil féin, lena chairde i mbliana. Molaim Cumann Lúthchleas Gael an Chabháin mar tugann an cumann scoláireachtaà dos na leanaà agus deontais a chabhraÃonn chun an costas a Ãoc. Is fiú é sin. Molaim don Rialtas tacaÃocht leis na coláistà samhraidh agus leis na mná tà ionas go mbeadh seans ag nÃos mó dul go dtà an Ghaeltacht. Molaim don Aire Stáit smaointiú air seo. NÃl rud ar bith nÃos tábhachtaà ná seans a thabhairt don aos óg dul go dtà an Ghaeltacht, a bheith páirteach sa Ghaeltacht agus sult a bhaint as. Tá gá le nÃos mó béime a chur ar shaoire agus ar chúrsaà don aos óg sna GaeltachtaÃ.
Molaim TG4, Raidio na Life, Raidió na Gaeltachta agus Des Bishop, mar a luadh an Teachta 'Ming' Flanagan, as an méid atá déanta acu don teanga. Tá na meáin cumarsáide an-thábhachtach. Molaim don Aire tacaÃocht a thabhairt dóibh agus iad a fhorbairt. Is fiú aitheantas a thabhairt do ionaid Gaeilge inár mbailte agus inár gcathracha taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Molaim don Aire taighde a dhéanamh ar an straitéis seo agus iarracht a dhéanamh à a cur i bhfeidhm.
Tá Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge ag tabhairt treoracha dúinn agus is fiú na treoracha sin. Tá mé sásta a chloisteáil ón Aire go bhfuil coiste an Rialtais ath-bhunaithe agus faoi chúram an Taoisigh agus go raibh cupla cruinnithe ag an gcoiste cheana. Is maith an rud é sin agus tá mé an-sásta é sin a chloisteáil.
Rud Ãontach an dÃospóireacht seo agus b'fhiú dúinn nÃos mó dÃospóireachtaà ar an ábhar seo a bheith againn. Tá dualgas orainn, mar Chomaltaà den Oireachtas, cupla abairt Ghaeilge a chur isteach aon uair a labhraimÃd ar ócáid phoiblÃ. Tugann sé sin dea-shampla do dhaoine eile agus spreagadh do lucht na Gaeilge. Tá mise sásta geallúint a thabhairt don Teach go ndéanfaidh mé sin. Beidh mé ag dul go dtà meán scoil tráthnóna inniu chun duaiseanna a bhronnadh ar na scoláirà agus déanfaidh mé iarracht cupla abairt Ghaeilge a úsáid agus mé ag caint leis na mic léinn. Is fiú é sin a dhéanamh. Tá dualgas orainn é sin a dhéanamh agus forbairt agus athbheochan na teanga a chur i bhfeidhm.
Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Tá an-áthas orm a bheith sa Dáil inniu ag caint faoin straitéis 20 bliain. Luke 'Ming' agus mise, bhà muid buachaillà dána ar scoil ach inniu táimid fear go maith.
Is é Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge an bealach is fearr chun an Ghaeilge a cur chun cinn imeasc na céadta mÃle daoine, cosúil liomsa, nach bhfuil acu ach cupla focal. Tá ard-mheas agam ar Chonradh na Gaeilge, ar Chomhdháil Náisúnta na Gaeilge agus ar eagraÃochtái Gaeilge eile ar fud na tÃre. Chuaigh mé go hOileán Cléire chun Gaeilge a fhoghlaim agus tá mé ag dul i bhfeabhas, I think.
I welcome this debate on the Irish language and the 20 year strategy which is the way forward for the hundreds of thousands of people, like myself, who spent up to 13 years in school without a huge love of the language. We have now grown up and see the language and all its traditions as a way forward. We are more confident about how we speak it. It is not the property of those who speak it on a daily basis or teachers and academics. It is about generating a renewed interest. It is open to everyone on the island of Ireland to embrace our culture, history and language.
I enjoyed working closely with Coimisiún na Gaeilge and Conradh na Gaeilge, visiting gaelscoileanna and various groups around the country. One group in Kilrush springs to mind, where middle aged people from many different countries came to have tea in the evening and discuss various daily matters through the medium of Irish. There is a huge and fertile ground for people who have overcome their fears of not being able to speak the Irish language with proficiency.
Let us be honest, we cannot speak the English language very well yet we beat ourselves around the head in trying to speak Irish. If we get it wrong or make one or two mistakes, so what? There are people who do not represent the best of the Irish language. They are an elite, which perhaps includes some of those who wrote a letter to The Irish Times, stating they were very disappointed about my appointment. I know that 99% of those who represent the Irish language and whom I have met do not share that view. I want to put on the record of the House that the trust and support I received was second to none.
I wish my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Dinny McGinley, well for the future. He represents the Irish language in his area extremely well. I have paid tribute to all of the organisations involved. Deputy Gerry Adams rightly said that much work has been done in regard to trying to speak the Irish language, which must be recognised. Over the years we have sometimes had a hang-up that the Irish language was the preserve of a few but it is the preserve of everybody, cross-party and cross-Border. Finally, dúirt Obama, "Is féidir linn", ach i mo chás, mar a dúirt Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Beidh mé ar ais."
Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Gan dabht, beidh an Teachta ar ais. Cuirim fáilte roimh an dÃospóireacht seo agus gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit. Thug sé misneach dúinn sa mhéid a dúirt sé inniu nuair a labhair sé faoin Ghaeilge a d'úsáid an Uachtarán Obama agus an BhanrÃon ÃilÃs. Ba abairt an-mhaith a bhà ina óráid nuair a dúirt se go bhfuil an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht ar an gcloch is mó ar a phaidrÃn dó mar Aire Stáit. Tá sin tábhachtach agus tugann sé misneach dúinn.
Tá mé buartha áfach faoi chuid de na rudaà a dúirt an tAire Stáit, go háirithe i dtaobh an gearradh siar ar airgead don údarás. Tá an-jab á dhéanamh ag an údarás maidir le fostaÃocht agus feidhmeanna fiontar agus caithfidh an tAire Stáit labhairt leis an Roinn Airgeadais maidir le seo. Tá laghdú ar an airgead atá ar fáil. Deirtear go bhfuil â¬6 milliún imithe agus go bhfuil â¬12 milliún ag teastáil don údarás don bhliain seo chugainn. Tá súil agam go mbeidh nÃos mó airgid ar fáil. De réir na figiúirÃ, tá nÃos mó ná 7,000 duine fostaithe ag an údarás sna GaeltachtaÃ, an chuid is mó acu i nGaillimh agus Dún na nGall. Is daoine iad ata fostaithe i dtionscnaimh ag a dtugann an t-údarás tacaÃocht. Tá sin an-thábhachtach.
Maidir le cúrsaà oideachais, deirtear go bhfuil ábhair eile taobh amuigh den Ghaeilge le foghlaim sa bhunscoil agus is ceann de na moltaà sa straitéis é déileáil le seo. Luaitear sa straitéis freisin go mba ceart, go háirithe ag an dara leibhéal, go mbeadh ábhair ar nós litrÃocht agus stair na Gaeilge ar an gcuraclam. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an tAire Stáit in ann an polasaà maidir le seo a shoiléiriú. Leagtar béim sa straitéis ar oiliúint mhúinteoirà agus ar na cúrsaà atá ar fáil d'ábhair múinteoirÃ. Tá sé tábhachtach an cheist seo a phlé agus ceisteanna a fhreagairt maidir leis an t-am is fearr sa bhliain gur cóir cúrsaà éagsúla a chur ar fáil. Caithfidh leanúint ar aghaidh le cúrsaà d'ábhair múinteoirÃ.
Bhain moladh 32 den straitéis leis an méid Gaeilge atá ag daoine sa Stát SeirbhÃs. Ba mhaith liom soiléiriú a fháil ón Aire Stáit ar an cheist sin chomh maith. Bhain moladh 33 leis na comharthaà bóthar. Tá na comharthaà nua i bhfad nÃos fearr ná na cinn eile. SÃlim gur cóir go mbeadh na comharthaà dhátheangach mar atá molta.
Labhair an Teachta ó CuÃv mar gheall ar an chaighdeán Gaeilge sna bunscoileanna agus dúirt sé - agus bhà an ceart aige - gur ceart go mbeadh an Ghaeilge ar fáil i ngach scoil, ach tá béim ar leith ar an Ghaeilge sna gaelscoileanna. I suirbhéanna atá déanta maidir leis an daonra agus an plean forbartha, feictear gur ceart go mbeadh gaelscoileanna ann. Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh feabhas maidir le sin. Tá gaelscoileanna i mo dháilceantar agus b'fhéidir go mbeidh seans agam labhairt faoi sin ar ball.
Ar ais go dtà an t-údarás, tá an-chomhoibriú idir an t-údarás agus na comhairlà contae i dtaobh na comharthaà bóthar agus seirbhÃsà áitiúla cosúil le seirbhÃsà dóiteán, leabharlanna agus cúrsaà pleanála. I mo thuairim, áfach, is à an fhostaÃocht an cúram is fearr a thugann an t-údarás faoi. Bhà cúpla ceist agam le chur ar an Aire Stáit faoi seo. Mar shampla, bhà dÃospóireacht againn faoin jobs initiative. An bhfuil airgead curtha ar fáil don údarás le haghaidh an initiative sin nó le haghaidh an scéim feabhsúcháin Gaeltachta, forbairt na n-oileán agus araile? Ba cheart na tionsnaimh sin a chur ar bun. Ba cheart freisin scéim tithÃochta sa Ghaeltacht a chur ar bun, go háirithe d'iarrthóirà nua. Cén baint atá idir an Roinn agus Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, the Western Development Commission? Tá neart roghanna le déanamh maidir le sin agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an tAire Stáit in ann an cheist a shoiléiriú.
Luaigh an Teachta O'Reilly an comhchoiste don straitéis ar a bhfuil an Taoiseach mar chathaoirleach. Caithfidh an coiste sin dul chun cinn a dhéanamh. Tá mórán le rá faoi oÃcheanta chultúir nó faoi Culture Nights 2011. Tá súil agam go mbeidh baint ag na ceantair Gaeltachta leis an bhféile sin agus go mbeidh airgead ar fáil don fhéile agus do na tionscnaimh spórt agus pobal sa Ghaeltacht.
Ba mhaith liom meabhrú don Aire Stáit go bhfuil cúnamh á lorg ag gaelscoileanna i ngach dáilcheantar agus i nGaillimh. Ba mhaith liom an Gaelscoil i dTuaim a lua go háirithe agus Gaelscoil Riabhach i mBaile Locha Riach. Tá siad ag iarraidh go ndéanfar dul chun cinn ar na tionscnaimh atá ar bun acu. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh leis an Aire Stáit sin a dhéanamh. Tá súil agam freisin go mbeidh muid in ann an cheist seo a phlé nuair a bheidh Ceisteanna againn i gceann coicÃse.
Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Tá mé fÃor bhuÃoch as an seans seo caint ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Mar Theachta Dála nua ó Ghaeltacht Chonamara agus ó dáilcheantar Gaillimh Thiar, tá a fhios agam cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an teanga náisiúnta. Tá an teanga láidir i Chonamara, ach nÃl sà chomh láidir agus a bhà sà 20 bliain ó shin. Tá ceist phráinneach ann. Cén caighdeán a bheidh ar an teanga i gceann 20 bliain eile? I gConamara, tá Gaeltacht láidir ann ó na Forbacha go dtà Carna agus tá Gaeilge freisin i mBearna, i mo cheantar féin i Maigh Chuilinn, Corr na Móna agus áiteanna eile. Tá an-bhrú ar an teanga sna háiteanna in aice le cathair na Gaillimhe de réir an méid tithe a tógadh ar feadh na mblianta.
I am encouraged by the commitment in the programme for Government to support the 20-year strategy for the Irish language which was introduced last year. As outlined, the vision is to ensure that Irish is a living language, spoken, used and cherished in communities across Ireland. By virtue of our Constitution, Irish is the first official language. It is illuminating to note that it is the oldest spoken literary language in Europe. It was long overdue, therefore, when, in 2007, the language was afforded official and working language status in the European Union.
The 20-year strategy calls for a continuation of a senior ministry and a Department with central responsibility for Irish. The new Government has retained this practice by appointing as Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and as Minister of State, Deputy Dinny McGinley, who has special responsibility for the Gaeltacht. I congratulate Deputy McGinley on his appointment, which was a very popular choice. He has a long record as Fine Gael spokesperson, and has the most wonderful language and voice which encourage people to listen and to speak the language.
The strategy also proposes to establish an údarás na Gaeilge and na Gaeltachta, which should be headquartered in a Gaeltacht area and have powers to carry out functions in regard to Gaeltacht policy. It is envisaged that this údarás will have a significant enterprise function which complements the Government's determination to ensure that Gaeltacht areas benefit from the recent jobs initiative.
I note in the strategy the emphasis based on normalisation or, in other words, the steps taken to secure the social position of Irish through a campaign of awareness, positive attitudes and greater natural use of Irish in everyday routing tasks and communication. It is a sad fact, as other speakers mentioned, that many people have been put off the language through poor educational experience and, for want of a better phrase, a certain literary snobbery. This is where a person's efforts to engage in and use the language are met, not with encouragement but with criticisms about grammar or pronunciation. We all lived through the módh connÃollach, what it means and its place in schools. It is off-putting. The school experience of many people is that once they put down the pen after the second leaving certificate Irish paper they do not take it up again to write any other word of Irish. Very often they do not speak any Irish either, except perhaps in a small capacity. People often say when they go abroad and do not want anyone to know what they are talking about they might use Irish. Other than that, the use of spoken Irish is fairly poor throughout the country, which is unfortunate.
It is vital that we move away from this to a position where encouragement is the key. Such a shift has been occurring, helped enormously by the creation of TG4 with its new generation of Gaeilgeoirà role models and ambassadors for the language as well as by the continuing role of Raidió na Gaeltachta in promoting the language throughout the State.
We cannot talk about the strategy without reference to Irish and its place in the educational system. Prior to the election there was a certain amount of concern regarding the policy on compulsory Irish for the leaving certificate. I took a great deal of flak because I took a stand on this. I used to be a half-decent student of Irish in respect of the intermediate certificate, or whatever, and got an honour in honours Irish at the time. However, when one finishes the leaving certificate one tends to drift away.
We need to change the emphasis in the teaching of Irish. There will be a change to the curriculum in that 40% of marks will go for oral assessment and this Government plans to increase that figure to 50%. I believe conversational Irish is the key to the survival of the language and that there should be two subjects in the leaving certificate, one being Irish as it stands, the other, which would be compulsory, being conversational Irish. In this way every student would be required to become involved and speak the living language, without being concerned about grammar, etc.
There are other issues we must face. Gaelscoileanna are extremely popular but there are many such as the school in Oranmore which has endured prefabs for many years We need to address aspects of that kind if we are to be serious about the language. We must also examine measures such as occur in my own area of Connemara where students from English speaking areas are bussed to a Gaeltacht area to attend leaving certificate classes in secondary schools where they do all subjects with increased emphasis on Irish. That should be promoted and encouraged as the kind of way we should promote the Gaeltacht.
The United Nations reported that half of the world's 6,700 languages spoken today are in danger of disappearing. I hope this Government, working in conjunction with the 20-year strategy, will ensure that Irish is stronger in 20 years' time than it is today.
Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Is cúis áthais dom deis a bheith agam labhairt sa dÃospóireacht thábhachtach seo. Nà amháin gur ábhar tábhachtach é, tá dúshlán os ár gcomhair chun ar dteanga dúchais a choimeád beo do na blianta atá romhainn.
FáiltÃm an t-aitheantas sa straitéis don chóras oideachais. Sin an tsuim faoi leith atá agam sa dÃospóireacht seo. Nà cainteoÃr ó dhúchas mé ach tá grá faoi leith agam don teanga. AontaÃm go hiomlán leis an Teachta Adams agus tá súil agam go mbeidh i bhfad nÃos mó ócáidà againn an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a phlé sa Dáil. I am not a native speaker but I have an interest faoi leith in this topic. I welcome it and thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak in the debate today.
I represent a constituency which has a Gaeltacht area, Cape Clear in south-west Cork. If the momentous events of the past week were to bring anything home to us it is the importance of our Irishness. We all shared pride when our distinguished visitors made utterances as Gaeilge. Our pride levels reached a new high when we heard them speak in our native tongue.
In an era of increased co-operation across states, especially in the European Union where there are ever fewer boundaries and more common denominators, currencies and laws applied across the member states, there are ever increasing challenges to our identity as a State. Our culture and heritage are more under threat. As there are fewer and fewer distinguishing factors separating countries the threat to our identity has never been greater. We need to assert our own national identity and one way to do this is with a vibrant, strong and proud language of which we can all avail and make use.
In my background as a teacher I had the pleasure, or whatever one might term it, of teaching from junior infants to sixth year at both primary and secondary level. I taught Irish as a language to students at every level along the way. The teaching of the language is the single greatest challenge to the survival of this language. In this country, unfortunately, our approach is to teach children to read, spell and write the language before we teach them to speak it. It is a simple anomaly but for generations it has caused mayhem to the successful teaching of Irish. We come at it from a reverse point of view because, of course, we should teach our children to speak first and foremost before concentrating on aspects such as spelling, grammar, verbs and all the different aspects we emphasise. I would like to see that very simple step being taken. I believe it is coming in gradually and recognition is dawning over time but we need to work more diligently towards that position.
Apart from the anomalies I mentioned in the teaching of the language I consider compulsion to be the great enemy of the Irish language. It did not matter who said it, or which leader of which party brought it about but as it happened it was the leader of Fine Gael, now the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, who first proposed getting rid of compulsion for the Irish language. I cannot agree more. It was the most welcome step I heard mentioned in the debate on the Irish language as long as I have been discussing it, even before my college days.
It is time we set the language free. In this modern day and age Irish is the only compulsory subject on the leaving certificate syllabus. Typically, 17 is the age of students who have completed transition year and are heading into fifth year. In this State we allow 17 year olds to drive a car on the roads if they have a licence but we do not allow them the freedom to choose whether they wish to study Irish. Any teacher, without exception, who has taught in a fifth year or leaving certificate classroom could tell of the hatred and animosity towards the Irish language that may build up by forcing students at that stage of life to study Irish against their will. This makes it difficult and challenging for the teacher who is trying to foster an environment of genuine passion and love for the language.
We must set the language free and move away from the compulsory element. We should realise that we are a grown-up State and that there are more than enough students who are keen to learn the language, who enjoy studying the language and who relish the challenge presented by learning our language and keeping it alive. There is no need to force anyone of 17 years of age in the school system to do anything relating to Irish.
Contrary to what some fanatical elements of the pro-Gaeilge lobby might suggest - I have encountered many of them during this debate and earlier a speaker referred to writing letters to The Irish Times - the proposals suggested by the Taoiseach do not suggest banning the language. However, it is noteworthy that the time in our history when our language flourished most was when the language was banned. However, I do not propose or support this. Rather, I prefer to encourage the freedom to choose and to encourage by rewards and points, thus providing the incentive to take Gaeilge to leaving certificate level.
Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Tá an dÃospóireacht seo an-tábhachtach i dtaca le forbairt na Gaeilge agus saol foghlaimeoirà agus úsáideoirà an teanga. Is é seo an chéad uair dom an Ghaeilge a labhairt sa Teach seo gan aon Bhéarla. Tá suil agam go gcloisfimid nÃos mó Teachtaà ag labhairt an teanga anseo. Is fÃor an seanfhocal gur fearr Gaeilge briste na Béarla cliste. Tá a lán daoine cotúil nuair a iarrtar orthu an Ghaeilge a úsáid, ach nà gá dóibh a bheith. Tá súil agam go dtógfaidh Teachtaà aon seans amach anseo chun ár dteanga a chur chun cinn. Creideann Sinn Féin go gcaithfimid lan-tacaÃocht agus áiseanna a thabhairt don teanga agus gur chóir oideachas ceart trà mheán na Gaeilge a sholáthar do gach duine in Ãirinn, sa Tuaisceart agus sa Deisceart.
Tá sé fÃor-tábhachtach go bhfuil gach duine ón gcliabhán go dtà an uaigh in ann teacht isteach ar ár dteanga. Tá nÃos mó oibre de dhÃth chun Gaeilge triú leibhéal a spreagadh, go háirithe i measc iad siúd atá ag lorg oideachas lánaimseartha trà Gaeilge. Tugann Sinn Féin tacaÃocht d'fhorbairt na gcoláistà a thugann oiliúnt do mhúinteoirà gaeloideachais agus atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht. Is é ár dtuairim go bhfuil athrú de dhÃth ar siollabais i leith na Gaeilge. Ba chóir go mbeadh nÃos mo béime ar chumas labhartha agus chluastuisceana na ndaltaÃ. Ba cheart nÃos mó marcanna a thabhairt dos na gnéithe seo den ábhar. Ba chóir an Ghaeilge a choimeád mar ábhar riachtanach ag leibhéil oideachais na bunscoile agus meánscoile.
Tá fás an gaeloideachais ar fus na tÃre mar cheann de na rudaà is fear as tharla i saol na hÃireann le 30 bliain anuas. Tá gaelscoileanna Baile Munna i mo cheantar féin ag dul ó neart go neart le deanaÃ. Tá gaelscoil nua - Gaelscoil Uà Earcáin i bhFionnghlas - ag méadú ó bhliain go bliain. Tá thart ar 40,000 dalta ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge ar fud na hÃireann. Tá 173 bunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge agus 40 iar-bhunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge sa Dá Chontae is TrÃocha. Bhà thart ar 15,000 dalta ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge i 1990, ach tá an uimhir sin méadaithe go dtà 40,000 anois. Caithfidh an Rialtas a chinntiú go leanfaidh an fás seo ar aghaidh, go mbeidh sé de cheart ag gach páiste oideachas a fháil trà Ghaeilge, go mbeidh na háiseanna riachtanacha ag na scoileanna agus nach ndéantar ionsaà ar ghaelscoil ar bith - nó aon scoil eile - le ciorraithe oideachais.
Mar focal scoir, is mór an trua é nach bhfuil foclóir Gaeilge ar fáil ar rÃomhairà an Oireachtais. An féidir leis an Aire an fhadhb seo a réiteach? Is mór an trua é freisin nach bhfuil nÃos mó ama á thabhairt don ábhar seo. Tá ár dteanga ag fás. Tá sé sin le feiceáil ar fud na tÃre. Cé go bhfuil géarchéim eacnamaÃochta ar siúl faoi láthair, nÃl spiorad na daoine briste. Tá ár dteanga beo. Tá spiorad na daoine sa teanga. TÃr gan teanga, tÃr gan anam.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Tá sé tábhachtach go ndÃreoimid isteach ar ceist na Gaeilge agus, go háirithe, ceist na Gaeltachta, uair sa bhliain ar a laghad. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil deis againn labhairt as Gaeilge sa Teach seo. Is é seo an t-aon uair, áfach, a chloisim Teachtaà áirithe ag labhairt an Ghaelige atá acu. Measaim go bhfuil Gaeilge ag formhór de Bhaill na Dála. Ba chóir dúinn iarracht a dhéanamh i gcónaà an teanga a mhealladh astu agus deis a thabhairt dóibh. Go minic, nà labhrann Teachtaà as Gaeilge toisc nach bhfuil na meáin sásta éisteacht linn má tá an Ghaeilge á úsáid againn. Is trua nach bhfuil éinne ó na meáin i láthair don dÃospóireacht seo. B'fhéidir go bhfuil siad ag éisteacht ina n-oifigÃ. Sa chuid is mó, déantar neamhaird dúinn nuair a úsáidtear an Ghaeilge sa Teach seo. Measaim gur chóir é sin a leigheas.
Is cuimhin liom nuair a labhair mé i nGaeilge mar Theachta nua-thofa, d'iarr mé cén fáth nár úsáid na hAirà a bhà os mo chomhair na huirlisà cluasáin chun an méid a bhà á rá agam as Gaeilge a thuiscint. Dúradh liom go raibh náire ar roinnt daoine sa Teach a léiriú don phobal nár thuig siad an Ghaeilge. Nuair a chuireann Teachtaà cluasáin orthu, is léir do gach éinne nach bhfuil Gaeilge flúirseach acu. Ag an am sin - beagnach deich mbliana ó shin - d'iarr mé cén fáth nár aithrÃomar go dtà cluasáin beaga ionas nach mbeadh náire orthu? I suggested we should use small, discreet earphones. Tabharfadh rud simplà mar sin deis do gach éinne nach bhfuil Gaeilge ar a dtoil acu suà anseo agus éisteacht linn i mBéarla.
Luaigh an Teachta Mac Eilis ceann de na hathruithe beaga gur chóir dúinn a dhéanamh. Tá ranganna Gaeleagras ar fáil d'fhoireann an Thithe an Oireachtais más StátseirbhÃsigh iad, ach nÃl siad ar fáil dóibh siúd atá fostaithe ag na páirtithe polaitÃochta agus nach StátseirbhÃsigh iad. Ba cheart é sin a athrú - rud simplà a bheadh i gceist. Tá oifigigh Sinn Féin ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus iad ag obair anseo, ach nÃl an deis sin acu. Ba chóir go mbeadh nÃos mó ranganna Gaeilge ar fáil timpeall na tÃre.
Nuair a bhà mé ag siúl timpeall TÃr na mBascach thart ar 15 bliain ó shin, chonaic mé ranganna teanga na mBascach ar siúl i bpáirceanna poiblà ag a hocht a chlog ar maidin. Bhà na foghlaimeoirà ag suà timpeall. Chonaic mé é sin gach áit a ndeachaigh mé. Caithfimid an bpointe sin a shroichint in Ãirinn am éigin. Ba chóir go mbeadh deiseanna den chineál sin ar fáil do gach éinne atá ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. Sula ndeachaigh muintir na háite ag obair, chaith siad leathuair nó uair ag foghlaim a dteanga dhúchais. Bhà sé go hiontach é sin a fheiceáil. Dar ndóigh, nÃl an aeráid céanna againn - nà bhÃonn an ghrian ag taitneamh chomh minic anseo agus a bhÃonn sà i dTÃr na mBascach.
Measaim go bhfuil deis mór ag an Stát anois nach raibh ann le tamall maith de bhlianta. Tá flúirse ógánaigh ag teacht as gaelscoileanna na tÃre le Gaeilge den scoth acu. NÃor tharla sé sin roimhe seo. Measaim gurb à an fhadhb atá againn anois ná nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt acu. Go minic, crÃochnaÃonn úsáid na Gaeilge i measc na daoine seo nuair a dhúnann siad geata na scoile taobh thiar dóibh tar éis na hardteistiméireachta. Caithfimid deis nÃos mó a thabhairt do phobal cainteoirà agus foghlaimeoirà na tÃre seo an Ghaeilge a úsáid. Caithfimid iad a mhealladh.
NÃl na freagraà ar fad agam, ach is soiléir go bhfuil siad fite fuaite le tuilleadh fostaÃochta, tuilleadh áiseanna do chúrsaà Gaeilge ar fud na tÃre agus tuilleadh meas orthu siúd a labhrann an Ghaeilge. Tá athrú ag teacht sa saol. Nà caitear anuas chomh minic anois orthu siúd a labhrann an Ghaeilge. Nà chasann an méid céanna daoine orm mar dhuine neamhghnách nuair a chloiseann siad go bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt agam. Nuair a bhà mé óg agus ag freastal ar ghaelscoil sa chathair seo, duine ait ab ea mé de réir go leor daoine sa tÃr seo. Bhà nÃos mó fanatical elements ó thaobh an Bhéarla de ag an am sin ná mar a dúirt an duine eile fanatical elements of the Irish language. Daoine a bhà iontu a bhà ag triail a dteanga a chosaint agus molaimid go mór iad.
Tá céimeanna siar tógtha ag an Stát le déanaà cionn is nach ábhar éigeantach an Ghaeilge chun dul isteach sna gardaÃ, sa StátseirbhÃs agus i roinnt de na hollscoileanna. Bhà seasamh ar leith ag an Ghaeilge nuair a bhà sin ann. B'fhéidir nach raibh sé go huile is go hiomlán curtha i réim i gceart ach bhà stádas ar leith ann don teanga. Má fhaighimid réidh leis an Ghaeilge mar ábhar éigeantach san ardteistiméireachta, is céim siar sin. Bhà an Teachta McHugh ag rá nach cabhair é go bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar ábhar éigeantach san ardteistiméireacht ach nà cabhair à matamaitic ach oiread mar táimid thÃos san ábhar sin sa tÃr seo.
Tá straitéis ann agus tá gach páirtà tar éis seasamh leis an straitéis sin agus caithfimid cur chuige a dhéanamh anois seachas bheith ag caint de shÃoraà air. Caithfidh an Rialtas nua teacht os comhair na Dála chun plean agus maoiniú chun an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm. Gheobhaidh sé tacaÃocht iomlán ón Fhreasúra má dhéantar sin go tapaidh. Caithfimid dÃriú isteach ar cheist Ãdarás na Gaeltachta chomh maith sa dÃospóireacht seo, an bhfuil ann nó as dó?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We now have one ten-minute slot left between Deputies à RÃordáin and Mathews. As these statements will not conclude today, they may wish to take five minutes and move on to the next day. Deputy à RÃordáin is down as the next speaker.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Do we have five minutes each?
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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As we much finish at 3.30 p.m., only eight minutes remain and the Deputies have four minutes each.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Tá an Teachta Mathews ag iarraidh a chuid Gaeilge a thriail agus a chuid Gearmáinise a thriail chomh maith, mar a dúirt sé nÃos túisce.
Maidir leis an méid a bhà le rá ag an Teachta à Snodaigh, aontaÃm leis ó thaobh dhÃospóireacht na Gaeilge de. Uaireanta an t-aon am go úsáidtear an Ghaeilge sa Teach seo ná nuair atáimid ag labhairt faoin Ghaeilge. Cuireann sin as do dhaoine, ba chóir bheith in ann labhairt faoi chúrsaà eacnamaÃochta na tÃre, faoi chúrsaà turasóireachta agus spóirt trà Ghaeilge, nà amháin faoi chúrsaà Gaeilge.
Nà ghlacaim leis an méid a dúirt sé, áfach, faoi fanatical elements. Tá fanatical elements i gceist nuair atáimid ag caint faoin Ghaeilge agus cuireann sin as do dhaoine nach féidir tuairim faoi leith a bheith ag duine faoin Ghaeilge toisc chomh láidir is atá na tuairimà ag daoine áirithe faoi chúrsaà Gaeilge.
Tá áthas an domhain an seans a fháil labhairt ar thodhchaà na Gaeilge agus ar bheartas an Rialtais maidir le dul chun cinn na Gaeilge. Beidh mé ag labhairt i mBéarla chomh maith ar ball beag.
Glacaim go bhfuil gach duine sa Teach ar aon tuairim faoi dhul chun cinn na Gaeilge. Táimid ar aon intinn gurbh fhearr linn ar fad go mbeadh i bhfad nÃos mó daoine in ann à a labhairt agus sásta à a labhairt. Tá daoine in ann Gaeilge a labhairt nach bhfuil sásta sin a dhéanamh agus tá daoine eile ann nach bhfuil in ann à a labhairt ar chor ar bith. Cé nár aontaigh mé le seasamh pháirtà Fhine Gael roimh an olltoghchán maidir le stádas éigeantach na Gaeilge mar ábhar meánscoile, b'fhiú an dÃospóireacht a bhà againn. Den chéad uair le blianta fada anuas, bhà stádas na Gaeilge ina cheist ar na doirse agus sinn i mbun toghchánaÃochta.
Molaim na gealltanais ó thaobh na Gaeilge mar a leagtar amach sa chlár Rialtais, go bhfuil sé mar aidhm againn an méid daltaà a dhéanann Gaeilge san ardteistiméireacht mar ábhar onórach a mhéadú agus go bhfuil sé mar aidhm 50% de na marcanna san ardteistiméireacht a thabhairt don bhéaltriail. NÃl ciall ar bith ann, áfach, béim chomh mór sin a chur ar an mbéaltriail san ardteistiméireacht gan bhéaltriail ar bith a bheith ann sa teastas sóisearch. Tá 14 bliain ann go dtà go gcaithfidh dalta Gaeilge a labhairt go foirmeálta os comhair cigire.
Cé go bhfuil céim agam sa Ghaeilge, agus cé go labhraÃm Gaeilge gach lá, chaith mé nÃos mó na deich mbliana i scoil faoi mhÃbhuntaiste i lár chathair Bhaile Ãtha Cliath, agus tá sé go rÃshoiléir dom nach bhfuil ar bpolasaà ó thaobh múineadh na Gaeilge ag feidhmiú sna scoileanna. Tá drochmheas ag cuid mhaith daltaÃ, agus tuismitheoirà fiú, maidir le cúrsaà Gaeilge. Nà amháin sin, ach i gcásanna áirithe, nÃl sa Ghaeilge ach constaic dóibh siúd atá ag iarraidh áit a bhaint in aon cheann de na coláistà múinteoireachta. Tá an baol ann anois, cé go nglacaim leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Dessie Ellis, nach bhfuil i gceist leis an Ghaeilge ach caitheamh aimsire don mheán-aicme i gceantair ina bhfuil Gaelscoileanna lonnaithe agus ina bhfuil dóthain airgid ann chun daltaà a chur chun na Gaeltachta le linn an tsamhraidh nó fiú ranganna breise a chur ar fáil dá bpáistÃ. An important issue regarding the future of the Irish language is that it could be perceived to be the pursuit of the middle classes. I refer to those who have resources available to send their children to the Gaeltacht in the summer or to purchase grinds. I refer to those who live in areas that have gaelscoileanna, which unfortunately in some cases have managed to attract parents who, to be blunt, are suffering from a case of white fright and are using the Irish language as a means of having their children in a monocultural setting in school. This issue has arisen in certain parts of this city and country.
Having taught in an area of disadvantage for the past 11 years, I have come across many wonderful children who would make wonderful teachers. However, the Irish language is becoming a barrier to them becoming teachers because of the insistence of the Department of Education and Skills or, more importantly of the third level institutions, that is, the teacher training colleges, that one must have an honour in Irish in the leaving certificate examination to become a primary school teacher. There is no reason to exclude any student who shows ability or creativity or who wishes to become a primary teacher, having acquired the requisite points and having been identified as someone who would be an excellent teacher at either primary or secondary level but the former in particular. There is no reason we cannot find a mechanism by which such people could enter into third level teaching colleges and acquire their Irish language qualification whilst there. I conclude by making a point about which I feel strongly, namely, that if the Irish language is being used as a mechanism to prevent those from certain backgrounds to advance their education, become teachers or to change the way in which education is delivered in schools, it then is becoming destructive in the education system.
Tá an cheist seo tábhachtach domsa agus do roinnt daoine eile sa Teach, ach tá an pointe deireannach rÃ-thábhachtach chomh maith.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Unfortunately only two minutes remain to Deputy Mathews. If he wishes, he is more than welcome to continue on the next day. I will put him down as the next speaker for the next day but he has two minutes now.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, you can simply move the Adjournment and then continue later.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Lá amháin i rith mo laethanta saoire an samhradh seo caite, nuair a bhà an ghrian ag taitneamh, tharla timpiste dom.
Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Bhà mé ag rothaÃocht ar mo rothar agus fall mé off.
One of the great simultaneous bilingual speakers to whom I really enjoy listening is Micheál à Muircheartaigh. During the warm-up to President Obama's arrival at College Green, he introduced six sports people of Ireland who are at the top of their game, to use that phrase. While so doing, he moved seamlessly from English to Irish and back again with the mellifluous music of an anam gaeilgeoir and it was fantastic. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan evoked once again for me what it is all about. Language is what it says; it is using the tongue, making sounds with it, having fun with it. "Riverdance" exploded on to the stage for the entertainment of this country and the world at that Eurovision contest and has never lost its allure and sparkle. It brought Queen Elizabeth down from the viewing ranks of the convention centre and on to the stage because she was thrilled, I would say, literally, by that experience. Our language can do the same but we must unclutter it from the algebra of grammar and all that stuff. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan described his eight-year old becoming a ten-year old and suddenly the language was boring. Let us bring some fun back into the textbooks by introducing quizzes and by cross-blending the learning with sport. "Riverdance" is the badge of the expression, dance and music-wise, of the Gaelic language and tradition. Imagine having the "Riverdance" troupe at the Aviva stadium as the warm-up event for one of the big matches and some Irish language used in the signage. This would express in 21st century terms what it is we love about our language.