Dáil debates

Friday, 13 July 2012

Gaeltacht Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

12:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Tá áthas orm cúpla focal a rá ar Bille na Gaeltachta 2012. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit. Níl aon dabht ach go bhfuil an teanga i dtrioblóid mhór. Cé nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge agam, tá sé d'onóir agam bheith mar Theachta Dála do Ghaeltacht Mhúscraí. Tá sé feicthe agam thar na blianta go bhfuil an Ghaeilge i dtrioblóid sa cheantar sin agus sna Gaeltachtaí eile. Tá sé soiléir sa census and in numerous other studies that the language is in considerable difficulty. I wish to preface my remarks by congratulating the Minister on bringing forward a Bill with the primary function and purpose of addressing the stagnation, decline and the reversal in fortune of our native tongue. If I am correct, this is the first time that a piece of primary legislation has been introduced with this aim in mind. I appreciate the Minister's personal commitment to the language and I hope the Bill will be successful.

Tá sé tábhachtach seans a thabhairt do dhaoine nach bhfuil ach cúpla focal acu. Níl áthas orm a rá go bhfuil saghas linguistic imperialism i measc cuid dóibh siúd atá ábalta an teanga a labhairt go flúirseach. Mar a deir an seanfhocal, "mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí". Ní cheapaim go dtugann iad siúd a bhfuil Gaeilge flúirseach acu support agus encouragement dóibh siúd a bhfuil ag baint triail as agus nach bhfuil acu ach cúpla focal. Dá bhrí sin, tá sé an-tábhachtach that the Bill contains proposals for language planning areas. This provision will give encouragement to the people who have some competence but who, like me, are not very comfortable in speaking the language. I was very fortunate in my education to have attended Inchigeela national school which had a very enlightened approach to the language in a school which is outside the Gaeltacht. The school did everything to foster and encourage an appreciation of the language. However, in my view, it seems that some of those who are most competent in the language almost frown upon the people who are not as familiar or as competent. The provision for language planning areas and the process involved in developing a plan for the promotion and advancement of the language, as envisaged in the Bill, is important. We might delude ourselves into thinking that because the census shows that 1.7 million people can speak Irish that all is well, but this is patently not the case. Numerous studies have confirmed this fact and if we were to do nothing, the language would probably enter into irreversible decline within the next 15 to 20 years.

Much of the advancement of the language in recent years has not taken place in Gaeltacht areas but rather outside the Gaeltacht in the gaelscoileanna movement. The education system has a significant role in the development of area language plans which will be community based. In the formulation of those plans I would like to see all Gaeltacht schools being regarded as gaelscoileanna at both primary and post-primary level. Unless there is immersion in a language, it is very difficult to arrest the decline. The schools are a critical component. Many, but not all the schools, operate as de facto gaelscoileanna in all but name. I ask that local communities might consider this point when formulating area language plans.

The Bill raises the prospect of redefining the geographical extent of the Gaeltacht areas and for new Gaeltacht areas to be considered because much of the advances in competence in the language have been made in areas outside of the Gaeltacht. The reason for the decline in the language in the Gaeltacht areas has been emigration because native speakers have been forced to look for work outside the areas or abroad. In the good times when jobs were available there was an influx into the Gaeltacht areas of people from outside and this must be taken into consideration when formulating local plans for Gaeltacht areas.

I am concerned about the enterprise function which is currently fulfilled by Údarás na Gaeltachta. I am privileged to represent the Muskerry Gaeltacht. I will not deny the problems of unemployment in my constituency or in the Muskerry Gaeltacht but I have noted local entrepreneurial successes and the area has been fortunate to have an effective representative on the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Mícheál Ó Scannaill. However, I am concerned that to some degree there has been a diminution of the enterprise function of Údarás na Gaeltachta with the proposal to have formal links in one way or another with Enterprise Ireland or the IDA. I live in Macroom which lies just outside the Muskerry Gaeltacht. We rarely have visits from Enterprise Ireland or the IDA while the opposite is the case in the Muskerry Gaeltacht. That could be to the detriment of the enterprise function Údarás currently fulfils.

I read somewhere with regard to the budget for Údarás na Gaeltachta, and I do not wish to make a major point about this because I have not had time to research its veracity, that over 50% of its budget allocation is spent on administrative costs. That appears to be extraordinarily high, notwithstanding the compliments I have paid to the body. Of the 2012 allocation of €19 million, €5.9 million was for capital expenditure, €3.2 million was for current expenditure and €9.8 million, which is more that 50%, was for administration. That is an extraordinarily high proportion of a budget to be spent on administration.

I am concerned that in our understandable preoccupation with the language there is a danger the equally critical component that Údarás has fulfilled to date in respect of the language and enterprise will be lost. As a result of its role in assisting and encouraging local entrepreneurship there are plenty of success stories in the Gaeltacht communities for enterprises that have been grant aided by Údaras na Gaeltachta. However, there is a real danger that establishing formal links with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland will, to some extent, diminish the role the Údarás can play in the future in this regard. I hope the Minister will be able to reassure me that this will not be the case.

The other issue I wish to raise is board membership of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Personally, I do not have a big problem with the fact that there will not be elections. It is not that we fear elections because we have had considerable success in them in the area I represent. I understand the determination, in the context of the language, to have expertise in that area on the board and I do not have a difficulty in principle with the board being reduced to 12 members. However, I have a significant difficulty with the differentiation that the process outlined in the Bill will impose on the smaller Gaeltacht areas. The Minister and I have discussed this matter on a number of occasions previously and I hope he will be able to bring forward amendments that will meet my concerns. The Muskerry, Waterford and Meath Gaeltachtaí, in particular, will no longer have automatic nominees on the board. These are the three smallest Gaeltachtaí.

If Members recall the Lisbon treaty, we strongly opposed the suggestion that was floated at one stage that small countries would not have an automatic right to nominate a Commission member. We considered it a cornerstone of our commitment to the European Union that every member state should be treated equally. The same principle applies here. In fact, there is considerable credit and recognition due to those small Gaeltachtaí that they have survived and prospered in difficult times. If anything, it is the interests and future of the smaller Gaeltachtaí that that should be reassured and copperfastened in a new board. Critical mass in terms of population for Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Kerry, which coincidentally happen to include the constituencies of the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, and the Taoiseach, means those areas have a right under the current process to have a nominee. However, I do not understand the logic of saying that Cork, Waterford and Meath should be excluded. That is fundamentally unfair and I urge the Minister to look at it again.

The current proposal is that Cork, Waterford and Meath should have a rotating entitlement every two years. Even in terms of corporate governance, all members of a board should be of equal standing and have a right to serve terms of the same duration. There is a likelihood that somebody who will only be on the board for two years will only have their feet under the table when they will have to start getting ready to depart, to be replaced by another member who will have similar insecurity and short tenure. That is fundamentally unfair. There are a number of possible alternatives the Minister could consider which would not significantly impact on the functioning of the board. I will suggest three in order of preference.

First, I suggest that the Minister leave the board at 12 members, but reduce the number of ministerial nominees from seven to five. That would automatically give Waterford, Cork and Meath membership of the board. The second preference is that the Minister could increase the board membership from 12 to 14. This will involve minor additional costs, which are insignificant in the overall running of the board. It would meet the requirement that Cork, Waterford and Meath would have representation on the board. The third option, which I advance reluctantly, is to remove the right of local authorities of all Gaeltacht areas to nominate anybody to the board, so at least there would not be discrimination against any sector. The Minister could reserve to himself, his Department and his ministerial successors the right to nominate all the members of the board. That is my least preferred alternative proposal to what is proposed in the Bill.

The Minister has scope to deal with this issue. What is in the Bill is a slight on the Muskerry Gaeltacht and the other smaller Gaeltachtaí and that is unfair. No rationale has been advanced in the Bill, that I can see, to explain why this should be the case. I sincerely urge the Minister, on what is otherwise an important day for the language and for the objectives in the Bill, to reconsider this critical issue and treat all the Gaeltachtaí equally. It is essential. We have discussed this matter previously and I am aware it is something the Minister is considering. I await his reply to this debate and the amendments he will table. It is critical that the small Gaeltachtaí are not discriminated against in terms of board membership.

We have seen what effective representation on the board can achieve. Notwithstanding that there is a lone voice for the Muskerry Gaeltacht on the board, it has worked effectively for that area. The same can be said for Waterford and Rath Cairn Gaeltacht in Meath. This regrettable shortcoming in the Bill can be easily resolved if there is the political will to do so. I have advanced three possible ways of dealing with it. It is an issue the Minister should consider in his reply to this debate and in amendments. I understand time is important and that the debate will conclude next week, but I believe it is possible to draft appropriate amendments in that short time.

This is not a pitch for an individual member. I appreciate that the skills set required is people with language competence and, importantly, people with enterprise skills and people who have the capacity to conduct business through the medium of Irish. I do not mind if the Minister has a prerequisite in terms of the skills set required. Local authorities are not necessarily obliged to nominate council members, but there is a way to solve this. We can advance the interests of the language, the Gaeltacht areas and the position of the language across the country in a harmonious fashion if these issues can be addressed.

1:00 pm

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I bprionsabal, fáiltím roimhe go bhfuil Bille Gaeltachta ann. Ar ndóigh, tá an Bille bunaithe ar go leor oibre a rinne muid i Rialtas ag réiteach an phlean 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Sin ráite, creidim go bhfuil an Bille seo thar a bheith lochtach nach bhfuil sé ag teacht le gach a bhfuil sa straitéis 20 bliain. Ba cheart don Aire breis ama a thógáil, mar ní tharlóidh tada mórán i mí Lúnasa agus d'fhéadfadh muid Céim an Choiste a bheith againn as seo go dtí an lá go dtiocfaidh an Dáil ar ais tar éis an tsamhraidh. D'fhéadfadh muid ansin an Bille a achtú ina Acht.

Tá go leor plé déanta agus bhí mé ag éisteacht leis an bplé. Tá daoine a cheapann nach bhfuil ann de Ghaeilge ach an Ghaeilge a labhartar sna Gaeltachtaí "A" mar a thugann siad orthu. Tá a fhios agam gur labhair an tAire Stáit ar an raidió faoi sin an lá faoi dheireadh. Creidim gur don phobal uilig an Ghaeilge agus mar sin, nach féidir plé leis an Ghaeilge gan todchaí na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre ar fad a thógáil san áireamh. Rud eile, tá daoine ag tuar báis don Ghaeilge le fada an lá. Léifidh mé amach anseo rud a dúradh 150 bliain ó shin:

As to the Irish language, toleration and patronage have come too late. It cannot be saved alive by any human power. It is at present confined to about one-third of the peasantry, and those the most ignorant and uncivilised. As a spoken language, it can hardly survive the present generation. The fathers and mothers will retain it till their death, but by the children it will be neglected and forgotten. The time for educating them in the native language has gone by for ever. It is not the language of business, of modern civilisation and it will not enable a man to get on the world. However we may regret it that any language, especially one so primitive, so expressive, so powerful as the Gaelic should cease to live, its doom is inevitable.

Dúradh sin 150 bliain ó shin. Ag an am sin, bhí an ceart ag an té a scríobh é mar séard a bhí ag tarlú ná go raibh Gaeilge amháin ag an gcéad glúin, Gaeilge agus Béarla ag an dara glúin agus gan ach Béarla ag an triú glúin. Dá dtiocfadh an té a scríobh é sin ar ais inniu, bheadh an-iontas air go bhfuil an Ghaeilge beo i saol in ar féidir éisteacht leí ó cheann ceann an domhain ar an Idirlíon agus i saol go bhfhuil an Béarla chomh láidir ní amháin in Éirinn ach ar fud an domhain, ach ag an am céanna go maireann an Ghaeilge.

Tá sé spéisiúil breathnú ar na staitisticí. Tá 77,000 duine ag labhairt na Gaeilge go laethúil taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais. Ta 23,000 á labhairt go laethúil sa Ghaeltacht. Sa Stát seo, tá thart ar 1.77 milliún adeir go bhfuil Gaeilge acu. Dá gcuirfeá na daoine a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu i dTuaisceart Éireann le sin agus na daoine ar fud an domhain a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu, tá i bhfad os cionn 2 mhilliún. Sin an méid is mó cainteoirú, nó an méid is mó daoine le heolas ar an teanga le fada an lá. Má bhreathnaíonn muid ar na figiúrí comparáideach, tá sé thar a bheith spéisiúil go bhfuil, mar shampla, méadú tagtha ar líon na ndaoine adeir go bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu idir an dá daonáireamh deiridh. Má bhreathnaíonn muid ar líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge ar fud na tíre, tá an líon sin méadaithe ó 72,000 in imeacht cúig bliana go 77,000. Sin méadú de 5,000 duine. Tá daoine ag caint ar bhás na Gaeilge, ach don chéad uair tá fianise neamh chlaonta staitisticiúil go bhfuil líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge, taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais, ag méadú agus istigh sa Ghaeltacht go bhfuil an líon daoine a labhráionn Gaeilge go laethúil imithe in airde 500. Tá sé méadaithe anois go 23,175. Méadú beag é sin, ach is méadú atá ann, seachas meath. Dá mbeadh na staitiscí againn don daonáireamh roimhe sin, faraoir níl siad againn, is dóigh gur meath a bheadh i gceist ag an am. Mar sin, tá toradh ar iarrachtaí a rinneadh thar blianta fada.

Chomh maith le sin, tá staitisticí spéisiúla eile ann agus muid ag breathnú ar an nGaeltacht. I leabhar a d'fhoilsigh m'athair Irish Dialects and Irish-Speaking Districts rinne sé taighde an-ghrinn sa bhliain 1950 a bhí bunaithe ar daonáireamh 1948. Ag an am sin, d'oibrigh seisean amach nach raibh 35,000 duine de chainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. B'shin roimh tús na gcaogaidí, am a raibh imirce an-mhór as an nGaeltacht. Is ansin a tháinig méadú mór, mar shampla, ar chathair na Gaillimhe agus athrú mór ar an saol. Má bhreathnaíonn muid ar 60 bliain ó shin i leith, tá sé spéisiúil a fheiceáil nach bhfuil an figiúr tite - ainneoin an méid a deirtear faoin Ghaeilge a bheith ag fáil bháis - ó 35,000 duine a labhraíonn Gaeilge go laethúil go 23,000. Ach tá athruithe móra taobh istigh de sin. Glacaim leis nach bhfuil na Gaeltachtaí nach bhfuil iontu ach Gaeilge chomh láidir, mar tá daoine ag bogadh isteach an t-am ar fad, mar tá daoine i bhfad níos soghluaiste. Ag an am céanna, tá i bhfad níos mó daoine taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus sna breac Gaeltachtaí atá ag labhairt na Gaeilge go laethúil, mar tá deiseanna ann nach raibh ann cheana. Bhí mé thall i Londain le cúpla lá agus tá dream thall ansin a bhíonn ag éisteacht le "Nead na Fuiseoige" chuile mhaidin ar Raidió na Gaeltachta, rud nárbh fhéidir le imirceoirí a dhéanamh 50, 40 nó 20 bliain ó shin.

Caithfimid an cheist a chur orainn féin céard a shábháil an Ghaeilge agus cén fáth nach bhfuair sí bás ar nós mar a thuar an duine a scríobh an píosa a léigh mé níos túisce. Dar liomsa gur iad tacaíocht ón Stát agus stadás oifigiúil a shábháil an Ghaeilge. Bhí sin le fáil ó bunaíodh an chéad Dáil i 1919 agus ó bunaíodh an chéad Rialtas anseo tar éis an chonartha. I measc na rudaí móra a rinne difríocht don Ghaeilge agus do stadás na Gaeilge ná: an Bunreacht; bunadh Raidió na Gaeltachta; bunadh TG4; i rith na tréimhse deiridh den Rialtas, tugadh seasamh oifigiúil don Ghaeilge don chéad uair i dTuaisceart Éireann trí Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta; bunaíodh Foras na Gaeilge mar áisíneacht uile-Éirinn; tugadh isteach an tAcht Teanga, atá ag baint go leor den ghangaid as cúrsaí teanga mar anois tá dream neamhspleách ann ag baint leis na cúrsaí sin; agus bhunaigh muid Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, atá in ann seasamh do chearta Gaeilgeoirí go neamhspleách. Tá súil agam go bhfágfar an Coimisinéir Teanga ina áit mar is dóigh liom go bhfuil obair iontach déanta aige, mar ní ghá do Ghaeilgeoir a bheith ina gcancrán níos mó nuair a fheictear faillí nó éagóir á dhéanamh i leith na teanga.

Thug muid isteach Bille substaintiúil, An Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta. Fuair muid seasamh oifigiúil don Ghaeilge san Aontas Eorpach mar theanga oibre. Thosaigh muid ansin ar an bplé fada mar gheall ar thodhcaí na Gaeilge. Thosaigh muid leis an gCoimisiún Gaeltachta. Ag éirí as sin, rinne muid an staidéar teangeolaíochta ar an Ghaeltacht agus ansin, nuair a bhreathnaigh muid air, thuig muid nach féidir leis an Ghaeltacht maireachtáil mar oileán agus go bhfuil an Ghaeltacht agus todhcaí na Gaeltachta fite fuaite le todhcaí na Gaeilge sa tír ar fad, agus thosaigh muid ag obair ar an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. B'fhéidir gur chaill muid bliain le sin dhá chur ar aghaidh chuig an coiste Dála anseo, ach ag an am céanna, bhí iarracht á dhéanamh againn le déanamh cinnte go mbeadh daoine agus páirtithe éagsúla ag tacú leis na straitéise.

Tá trí ghné ann le go mairfidh teanga: dearcadh, eolas agus úsáid. Má tá an dearcadh naimhdeach don teanga - chonaic muid é seo sa Ghaeltacht agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht le 200 bliain anuas - agus má tá daoine ag iarraidh na Gaeilge a chaitheamh díobh, níl aon todhcaí ann don Ghaeilge. Is cuma cé mhéad eolas atá ag daoine ar an teanga, muna dteastaíonn uathu í a thabhairt don chéad glúin eile níl aon mhaith ann. Tá sé spéisiúil breathnú ar dhearcadh daoine ar an nGaeilge. Mar is eol don Teach, tugadh airgead don Athair Mac Gréil le staidéar an-chuimsitheach a dhéanamh ar an Ghaeilge. Tá 7% sa Stát atá ag iarraidh go bhfaighfidh an Ghaeilge bás agus tá 93% ag iarraidh go mairfidh sí.

Tá sé spéisiúil freisin go bhfuil 53% de dhaoine ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú sa Ghaeltacht, cé nach bhfeiceann siad iad fhéin mar chuid den athbheochan. Ba mhaith leo go mairfeadh an teanga. Ceapann siad gur iarsma fíorthábhachtach stairiúil í an Ghaeilge. Creideann 40% de dhaoine go mbaineann an Ghaeilge leo féin agus gur cheart í a athbheochan. Is ollfigiúr é sin le hais suirbhé éigin mar seo a d'fhéadfadh a bheith déanta deich mbliana ó shin. Nuair a dhéanann muid scrúdú ar na figiúrí seo, faigheann muid eolas níos spéisiúla fós. Tá sé léirithe gurb iad an dream óg agus uirbeach, a bhfuil postanna maithe agus ard-leibhéal oideachais acu, an dream is báúla don Ghaeilge sa tír seo. Is iad siúd is mó atá i bhfábhar na hathbheochana. Nuair atá meon an phobail ag bogadh agus rudaí éagsúla ag teacht i bhfaisean, tá sé soiléir go leanann an sochaí i gcoitinne an dream óg le postanna maithe agus oideachas fairsing. Tá dul chun cinn fíor-suntasach déanta ó thaobh dearcadh an phobail i leith na teanga.

Léirigh an staidéar go bhfuil go leor daoine le heolas acu ar an teanga, ach nach n-úsáideann í go laethúil nó go rialta. Rinneadh réimniú agus briseadh síos idir eolas an-mhaith, réasúnta agus mar sin de. Tá eolas ar an teanga i bhfad chun cinn ar úsáid na teanga, go mórmhór taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Caithfimid díriú ar sin in aon phleanáil atá ar bun. Ba cheart dúinn scrúdú a dhéanamh ar conas is féidir aistriú ón eolas go dtí an úsáid. Tá an straitéis 20 bliain dírithe ar sin. Tá an straitéis ag iarraidh a chinntiú nach gá tosach as an nua sa chóras oideachais i ngach glúin. Muna labhrann tuismitheoirí le Gaeilge lena ngasúir í, caithfidh na gasúir dul ar gaelscoil, nó bealach éigin eile a thógáil, leis an teanga a shealbhú. Is fiú a rá nach bhfreastalaíonn formhór na ngasúir ar gaelscoileanna ar aon chaoi. Dá bhrí sin, caithfear an Ghaeilge a múineadh níos fearr sna scoileanna eile. An smaoineamh a bhí taobh thiar den straitéis ná go n-éireódh linn níos mó tuismitheoirí taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht a spreagadh chun Gaeilge a labhairt lena gcuid gasúir ó chaitear ar a sop iad.

Is cuimhin liom todhchaí na Gaeilge a phlé le comhghleacaí de chuid duine de na Státseirbhísigh atá in éineacht leis an Aire Stáit inniu nuair a bhíomar thuas i dTír Chonaill. Tá aithne maith ag an Aire Stáit ar an duine atá i gceist agam. Dúirt mé gur cheart tosach nuair a bhíonn na máithreacha ag súil. Chuaigh an plé ar aghaidh agus dúirt duine éigin gur cheart tosach ón am a thosaíonn sí bheith ag súil. Dúirt an comhghleacaí sa Roinn a luaigh mé gur cheart tosach sna discos. An pointe a bhí á dhéanamh aige ná gur ciorcal atá ann. Más féidir an fáinne fí a athrú, agus áiteamh ar dhaoine a bhfuil Gaeilge acu í a labhairt lena gcuid gasúir, beidh spriocanna na straitéise insroichte.

Tá daoine ann a chreideann gur cheart an Ghaeilge a choinneáil sa Ghaeltacht. Níl aon chiall leis sin ar go leor cúiseanna. Go simplí, ní mhairfeadh an teanga. Dá mba rud é nach raibh aon spéis sa Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, bheadh deireadh leis na coláistí Gaeilge ar maidin. Cén fáth go dtiocfadh daoine go dtí an Ghaeltacht ag foghlaim na Gaeilge muna mbainfeadh sí leo? Baineann todhchaí na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachtaí is láidre sa tír le dearcadh agus spéis na ndaoine i leith na Gaeilge. Má tá sé mar aidhm againn go mbeidh an teanga á labhairt ag daoine chuile áit sa tír, caithfidh plean ollmhór Stáit a bheith againn. Níl aon mhaith díriú ar póicíní beaga Gaeltachta amháin. Ní mharifidh an Ghaeilge ar an mbealach sin.

Chuala mé bean as Inis Oírr ag caint go stuama agus go ciallmhar ar an gceist seo le gairid. Dúirt sí gur thóg sí cúigear nó seisear gasúir, ach go mbeadh an t-ádh léi dá bhfaigheadh duine amháin acu post in Inis Oírr a thabharfadh deis dó nó di fanacht ar an oileán. D'iarr sí nach mbeadh cur amú iomlán i gceist iad a thógáil le Gaeilge, dá mba rud é nach raibh sí ag súil go ndéanfaidís an rud céanna, cibé cén áit in Éirinn ina mbeidís ag maireachtáil. Nach mbeadh cur amú eolais, fuinnimh agus iarracht i gceist? Fágann daoine an Ghaeltacht agus tagann daoine isteach go dtí an Ghaeltacht. Nach mbeadh sé loighciúil bheith ag súil go labhródh Polannach a bheadh ina chónaí anseo in Éirinn Polainnis lena gcuid gasúir anseo, go mórmhór os rud é go mbeidh Béarla acu ar aon chaoi? Ba cheart dúinn breathnú ar muintir na Gaeltachta a théann ina gcónaí in áiteanna eile ar fud na tíre, agus a labhraíonn Gaeilge lena gclann, mar chuid d'acmhainn na Gaeltachta agus mar chuid de phobal iomlán labhartha Gaeilge na tíre.

Caithfimid a fháil inár gcloigeann go bhfuil cainteoirí dúchása Gaeilge ann cheana féin a tógadh taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Muna bhfuilimid in ann na coincheapanna seo a thógáil ar bord, ní dóigh liom go mbeidh aon bhunús leis an straitéis. Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, dúirt an straitéis go rabhamar ag iarraidh trí rud a bhaint amach. Is fiú iad a chur ar an taifead. Ar an gcéad dul síos, tá sé molta sa straitéis go méadóidh an líon daoine sa Stát seo a bhfuil eolas acu ar an nGaeilge go 2 mhilliún. Is dóigh liom go bhfuil sé sin thar a bheith insroichte. Ar an dara dul síos, tá sé mar aidhm ag an straitéis an líon daoine sa Ghaeltacht a labhrann an Ghaeilge go laethúil a ardú ó 23,000 go 30,000, nó 25%. Má bhaineann muid na spriocanna sin amach, beidh fás ag tarlú agus is dócha go leanfaidh fás fás. Ar an tríú dul síos, tá sé mar sprioc ag an straitéis líon na gcainteoirí laethúla sa tír ar fad a mhéadú go dtí 250,000. Is í sin an aidhm is uaillmhianaí ar fad, os rud é go gcinnteódh sí todhchaí na Gaeilge go brách na breithe. In aois na hidirlíne, gutháin póca agus teagmháil níos mó le daoine nach bhfuil aithne agat orthu ná daoine atá cóngarach dhuit, más féidir linn an teanga a thabhairt ar aghaidh ó ghlúin go glúin taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, beidh todhchaí na Gaeilge slán.

D'fhéadfainn go leor eile a rá faoin straitéis. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an straitéis á chur i bhfeidhm, go mórmhór ó thaobh réimse an oideachais, réimse an phobail agus mar sin de. Tá súil agam go dtabharfar dóthain ama dúinn chun mionphlé dearfach a dhéanamh ar an mBille seo. Ní shéanfaidh mé go bhfuil lochtanna móra ag baint leis an reachtaíocht seo. Ar ndóigh, tá an Bille sa mhórphictiúr ag teacht leis an rud a réitigh mé féin - go gcaithfeadh an cur chuige pleanáilte seo a bheith ann. Bhí sé sa staidéar teangeolaíochta. Nuair a d'fhág mé an Roinn, bhí mé díreach tar éis obair ar an reachtaíocht seo a thosú. Tá lochtanna móra sa Bhille, áfach. Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an chuid den mBille a bhaineann leis na gréasáin Gaeltachta. Táimid ag caint faoi fás na Gaeilge ní hamháin sa Ghaeltacht ach i ngréasáin taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht freisin. Is iomaí gréasáin Gaeilge atá ann. Tá go leor dóibh ann nach raibh ann 50 bliain ó shin.

Ba mhaith liom focal nó dhó a rá ar an mBille sula críochnóidh mé. Is é an chéad locht gur mhaith liom a lua ná an easpa airgid atá á chur ar fáil. Mar a dúradh i 1950, cén chaoi a mairfidh an Ghaeilge i saol mór an Bhéarla, atá i bhfad níos treise anois ná mar a bhí riamh sa stair, muna bhfuilimid sásta roinnt acmhainní a chaitheamh ar an teanga? Fiú in am na géarchéime, caithfimid roghanna a dhéanamh a chabhróidh linn teacht ar na hacmhainní. Má thagann meath ar an nGaeilge, ní thiocfaidh sí ar ais. Ní glacaim leis an argóint airgeadais faoi toghcháin an údaráis. Ní thuigim cén chaoi is féidir a rá go bhfuil fadhb airgid ann nuair atá an Rialtas ag caint ar breis toghcháin uachtaránta agus iliomad reifreann in éadan a chéile a reáchtáil. Níl aon fhadhb airgead a fháil le haghaidh toghcháin ar fud na tíre. Beidh reifreann ar chearta leanaí againn sa bhfómhar.

Mar sin, ní bhéadh aon chostas le toghcháin.

An dream a bhéas ag déanamh cinnidh de réir an Bhille, ní gá gur spéis leo an Ghaeilge ar chor ar bith. Sa chontae ina bhfuil cónaí orm féin, tá i bhfad níos mó de na comharleoirí contae ina gcónaí taobh thoir den Choirib ná mar atá taobh thiar di. Le fada an lá, éinne a bhí ar an gcomhairle contae d'inseoidís duit go n-údáidtear an mórlach sin in éadan an dream a bhí i gConamara.

An tríú rud, nach n-aontaím leis an coibhneas ó thaobh na pleanála de. Caithfidh an Stát a bheith freagrach as pleanáil. Ní féidir a rá le pobal Gaeilge a chur ar fáil sa riarachán poiblí, mar shampla. Caithfidh an Stát a bheith i mbun an phlean agus tacaíocht an phobail a bheith aige. Gan tacaíocht an phobail níl aon mhaith ann, ach caithfidh sé teacht ón Stát.

Ní aontaím leis an Aire Stáit faoi Fhoras na Gaeilge, mar ní fheicim cén chaoi ar féidir freagracht as pleanáil teanga ar fud na tíre a thabhairt do dhream nach bhfuil smacht aige air. Níl smacht ag an Rialtas ar Fhoras na Gaeilge. Nuair a bhí mé i mbun na Roinne, bhíodh mise ag rá go gcaithfeadh freagracht iomlán as cur i bhfeidhm Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge fanacht taobh istigh den Stát, mar nach bhfuil aon smacht againn ar céard a shocrós na húdaráis ó Thuaidh, agus ní bhéinn sásta an smacht sin a ghéilleadh dóibh.

Tá súil agam go ndéanfaidh an t-Aire Stáit machnamh thar an deireadh seachtaine. B'fhearr liom suí síos leis, gan aon bhrú ama nó argóint a bheith ann faoi chloig á mbualadh nó teorainn ama, agus an rud seo a phlé go mion. Creidim féin, agus d'fhoghlaim mé seo ar an dtaobh eile den Teach, gur fearr reachtaíocht a dhéanamh go mion agus gan rud a dheifriú. An rud is mó a tharraing trioblóid orm, ó thaobh reachtaíochta de, ná rud a dheifrigh mé tríd ag an nóiméad deiridh. D'iarrfainn ar an Aire Stáit fanacht go Meán Fhómhair le jab ceart a dhéanamh air seo. Déarfadh sé liom, "Céard faoi thoghcháin an údaráis?". D'fhéadfaí teacht isteach anseo an tseachtain seo chugainn, le tacaíocht an Fhreasúra, agus Bille aon líne a reachtáil chun na toghcháin a chur siar go deireadh Mí Deireadh Fómhair nó Mí na Samhna leis an bhfadhb bheag dlí sin a sharú. D'fhéadfaimís é seo a phlé go mion thar an samhradh. Creidim go mba cheart don Aire Stáit a bheith oscailte do leasaithe. D'fhoghlaim mise, thall ansin ar an mbínse a bhfuil an t-Aire Stáit ina shuí air, a bheith i bhfad níos oscailte do leasaithe ná mar a bhí mé ag an tús. D'iarrfainn ar an Aire Stáit é sin a dhéanamh. In ionad go leor des na daoine a bheith ag rá go bhfuil trí cheathrú den Bhille ceart agus go bhfuil croí an Aire Stáit san áit cheart ach go bhfuil an gníomh mícheart, mholfainn don Aire Stáit déanamh mar a rinne mise nuair a chuir mé an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 - 2030 isteach sa gcoiste seachas í a dheifriú ar aghaidh, fiú gur chailleamar ama air sin, níos mó ama ná mar a shíl mé. B'fhiú é sin a dhéanamh le daoine a thógáil ar bord.

D'iarrfainn ar an Aire Stáit smaoineamh go domhain ar chríochnú ar an Dara Chéim agus teacht ar ais agus an díospóireacht a chríochnú sa bhfómhar. Níl ann ach rud beag le réiteach le gur féidir é sin a dhéanamh. Le haghaidh todhchaí na Gaeilge b'fhearr an dá mhí a chaillleadh agus gníomh ansin, agus gníomh ar Bhille fónta seachas gníomh ar an rud atá ós ár gcomhair. B'fhearr a bheith ag feidhmiú le tacaíocht iomlán an Oireachtais agus an phobail seachas daoine ag rá go bhfuil bunlochtaí air seo.

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Le cead an Tí, roinnfidh mé mo chuid ama leis an Teachta Patrick O'Donovan.

Seo an chéad uair dom ráiteas a dhéanamh as Gaeilge. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht an Bhille a thabhairt os comhair an Tí. Seo an chéad Bille Gaeltachta le 56 bliana atá ag tagairt do na mapaí nó na limistéir Gaeltachta.

Tá a Ián rudaí athraithe sa tír agus sa Gaeltacht ón am sin. Tá daonra níos áirde againn i gcuid den Ghaeltachta agus tá titim sa daonra in áiteanna eile. Tá iomarca eastáit nua tógtha in áiteanna a raibh talamh feirmeoireachta iontu, go háirithe i gcathair na Gaillimhe agus timpeall uirthi. Tá titim sa daonra in áiteanna eile, go mórmhór i gceantar Iorras Aithneach i gConamara. I mo thuairim féin, i gConamara tá ceithre limistéar Gaeilge. Tá áiteannna ina bhfuil an teanga láidir agus go bhfuil an daonra ag titim nó ag fanacht mar atá, is iad san Iorras Aithneach, Ceantar na nOileán agus Árainn; tá áiteanna ina bhfuil an teanga go láidir agus go bhfuil an daonra ag meadú, ó na Forbacha go dtí an Cheathrú Rua, ceantar Chois Fharraige; tá áiteanna ina bhfuil an teanga lag agus an daonra faoi bhrú, is iad san ceantair Seoighe agus Srath Salach; agus ta áiteanna thart ar Maigh Cuilinn agus Bearna, mo cheantar féin, ina bhfuil an daonra ag fás ach go bhfuil stádas na teanga lag.

Tá a Ián fadhbanna leis an teanga oifigiúil sa Ghaeltacht. Rugadh mise i Maigh Cuilinn, Gaeltacht oifigiúil. Ba cheantar é le Gaeilge réasúnta blianta ó shin ach tá titim sa chaighdeán. Cén fáth? Bhuel, níl a fhios agam ach uair amháin, bhíodh gach ábhar á mhúineadh tré Ghaeilge sa scoil náisiúnta agus go minic ní raibh Gaeilge á labhairt sna tithe ar chor a bith. Sin fadhb mór. Más rud é nach bhfuil Gaeilge sa teach ag na tuimitheoirí beidh fadbh ag na gasúir. I Maigh Cuilinn seachas scoil an Bhaile Nua níl aon scoil Ián-ghaelach ann. Tá a Ián Gaeilge i gcuid acu. Caithfidh muid tosnú sa mbaile agus ansin sna scoileanna. Tús maith leath na hoibre.

Mar a dúirt me cheana, tá tithe nua tógtha in áiteanna nach raibh morán daoine ina gcónai iontu i 1956, nuair a d'athraigh said an mapa Gaeltachta. In áiteanna cosúil le Cnoc na Cathracha i gCathair na Gaillimh tá sé deacair a chreidiúint gur ceantar Gaeltacht atá i gceist. Ach tá scoil náisiúnta ansin le 437 dalta, is é sin Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, agus beidh Coláiste na Coiribe ag athrú go dti Cnoc na Cathracha sa mbliain 2013. Is scéal maith é scéal Chnoc na Cathracha maidir le hoideachas tré Ghaeilge agus tá scealta maithe eile in áiteanna cosúil le Eanach Dhúin sa taobh eile de dháilcheantar Ghaillimh Thiar. Chas mé le grúpa beag ó Eanach Dhúin an tseachtain seo sa Dáil. Bhí said ar cuairt in éineacht leis an gComhairleoir Mary Hoade agus labhair muid faoi ábhar na Gaeilge. Dúirt said liom go raibh an-obair déanta ag an scoil náisiúnta ag múineadh na Gaeilge agus gurb iad na páisti as Eanach Dhúin na scoláiri is fearr sa Gaeilge sa meán scoil in Áth Cinn. Dúirt said liom go raibh an-suim acu sa teanga agus go bhfuil said ag iarraidh fanacht sa Gaeltacht. Dúirt said go raibh ranganna Gaeilge sa gceantar agus go bhfuil said ag obair ar an teanga. I mo cheantar féin i Maigh Cuilinn, tá áiseanna nua tógtha ag Conradh na Gaeilge do ranganna Gaeilge. Tá áis ann chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus is maith an rud é sin.

Dá mba rud é go raibh daoine ag breathnú ar rudaí mar atá said anois b'fheidir go gceapfadh siad gur cheart nach mbéadh Cnoc na Cathrach, Eanach Dhúin agus áiteanna cosúil leo san nGaeltacht anois. Ní aontaím leis sin. Tá an t-Aire Stáit ag déanamh an rud ceart leis an mBille.

Má theastaíonn tuilleadh ama ó limistéirí sa Ghaeltacht chun díospóireacht a dhéanamh faoina stádas sa Ghaeltacht ba ceart go mbéadh an t-am acu. Ní raibh aon athrú le 56 bliana. Níl sé ceart go ndéanfadh muid aon athrú gan comhairle ón bpobal nó gan plean ón bpobal. Sin a theastaíonn sa Bhille Gaeltachta seo.

Leis an mBille seo, beidh ar an bpobal plean teanga a ullmhú. Tá sé ráite go soléir san staidéar cuimsitheach teangeolaíoch ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht go mbeidh titim uafásach sa teanga mar theanga teaghlaigh agus sa phobal i gceann 15-20 bliain, gan gniomhú. Dá bhrí sin, beidh 19 limistéar pleanála teanga faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht agus teastaíonn pleananna a ullmhú. Beidh ról ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sa phróiseas seo. Beidh údarás ag obair leis an bpobal i ngach limistéir agus leis na heagraithe pobail, chun an plean teanga a cur chun cinn ar an talamh. Beidh ar an Roinn breathnú ar na pleananna go dian sula nglacann an t-Aire leo. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go mbeidh an pobal lárnach i bpróiseas ullmhú na bpleananna. Teastaíonn suim an phobail chun stádas na Gaeltachta a choinneáil.

Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis An Teachta Dara Calleary inné agus é ag caint faoi chlár Leader agus Meitheal Forbartha Gaeltachta, MFG. Aontaím leis faoi na deacreachtaí atá ag grúpaí áitiúla sa Ghaeltacht ach tá an t-ábhar sin réitithe anois mar go bhfuil na ceantair Gaeltachta istigh le grúpaí eile chun clár Leader a oibriú agus tá Comhairle Ceantar na n-Oileán ag obair ar son Leader i gConamara. Cuirim fáilte roimhe sin, ach caithfidh mé a rá nach é an t-Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil, nó an t-Aire Stáit, an Teachta McGinley, a rinne praiseach de MFG. Sin scéal eile. Tá a lán cainte a rá go bhfuil an Bille seo chun deireadh a chur le toghchán chuig bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tagann an chuid is mó den chaint seo ó pholaiteoirí, cuid acu ar an mbord. Caithfimid a bheith cinnte go mbeidh airgead coigilte mar gheall ar an athrú seo agus laghdú ar an méid daoine a bheidh ar an mbord ó 20 go dtí 12. Tá sé soiléir ó dhaoine ag a bhfuil taithí gnó ar fud ar domhain gur fearr bord le 12 ná bord le 20. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go bhfuil daoine le taithí ghnó ar an mbord nua, go mór mór le taithí cruthú post. Is féidir le duine ar bith a bhfuil suim aige bheith ar an bhord iarratas a chur isteach chuig www.publicjobs.ie.

Beidh na comhairlí contae in ann daoine a ainmniú ó chomhairleoirí tofa ar feadh téarma iomlán oifige. Tá sé daonlathach. Nuair a bhí an Taoiseach mar cheannaire Fhine Gael ag canbhásáil liom in 2005 i gcathair na Gaillimhe, thart ar Óstán Menlo, ní raibh mórán daoine le Gaeilge. Le fírinne, ní raibh mórán Éireannach ann. Bhí an ceantar sa Ghaeltacht go hoifigiúil ach ní raibh mórán daoine le Gaeilge agus bhí daoine ó chuile áit sa domhan. Dá bhrí sin, ní raibh mórán céille go raibh vótaí ag cuid de na daoine sa toghchán sin.

Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an teanga ag fás taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá Gaelscoileanna ar fud na tíre, atá iontach le feiceáil. Sna Gaeltachtaí, níl ach 24% nó 23,175 daoine, ag úsáid na Gaeilge gach lá. Is figiúr lag é sin.

Tá a lán rudaí ann gur féidir leis an Rialtas a dhéanamh chun an Ghaeilge a fhorbairt ach níl an Rialtas in ann dul isteach sna tithe ar fud na Gaeltachta le fáil amach an bhfuil tuismitheoirí nó na páistí ag caint i nGaeilge le chéile. Níl aon fhadhb ann Béarla a fhoghlaim ón teilifís nó ó pháistí eile sa cheantar. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go gcloiseann na páistí an Ghaeilge sa bhaile.

I mí Aibreáin, d'fhoilsigh an Roinn an clár tacaíochta do theaghlaigh. Is í aidhm an chláir ná an Ghaeilge a fheabhsú mar theanga theaghlaigh agus phobail sa Ghaeltacht i gcomhthéacs na straitéise 20 bliain. Tá bearta nua sa chlár bheith ag obair leis an Roinn Sláinte bille eolais a chur ar fáil do thuismitheoirí sa Ghaeltacht faoi na buntáistí a bhaineann le páistí a thógáil le Gaeilge. Tá scéim na gcúntóirí teanga ann chomh maith sna scoileanna sa Ghaeltacht chun freastal níos fearr a dhéanamh go mbeidh páistí in ann a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú.

Nuair a bhí an ráiteas seo á ullmhú agam, smaoinigh mé ar phlean na Gaeltachta a d'fhoilsigh Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe in 2006. Bhí a lán cruinnithe againn ag an am sin chun cúrsaí cead pleanála a phlé. An cheist phráinneach ná ar cheart cead pleanála a thabhairt san fhíor-Ghaeltacht do dhaoine nach raibh in ann Gaeilge a labhairt. Dúirt daoine go dteastaíonn daonra i gcuid de na ceantair Ghaeltachta agus gur chuma nach raibh siad in ann Gaeilge a labhairt. Dúirt mise más rud é go raibh daoine le páistí óga sásta na páistí a chur chuig scoil lán-Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, gur maith an rud é sin don teanga. Faoi dheireadh, chuir muid isteach rialacha go bhfuil daoine áitiúla, daoine atá ag obair sa cheantar nó daoine a bhí ag teacht ar ais chuig an cheantar in ann cead pleanála a fháil gan Ghaeilge. Bhí díospóireacht dhian againn ar an chomhairle chontae, agus sin a chéad uair a chuir mé féin suim sa teanga, cé nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge agam. Bhí turas agam ina dhiaidh sin chuig formhór na n-áiteanna seo sa toghchán áitiúil in 2009 agus rinne mé iarracht an teanga a fhoghlaim. Bhí fadhb mhór agam leis an Ghaeilge - muinín. Is fadhb í sin a bhíonn ag a lán daoine, níl muinín ag a lán daoine sa Ghaeilge agus níl siad sásta í a labhairt cionn is nach bhfuil siad flúirseach agus is mór an trua é sin.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Bhille seo. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil Teachta le Gaeilge ina Aire Stáit don Ghaeltacht. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil grá ag an Teachta McGinley don teanga agus go bhfuil an-díoma air faoin titim i gcaighdeán na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Caithfimid rud éigin a dhéanamh chun an teanga a shábháil agus is céim sa phróiseas sin í an Bille seo.

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Nach deas an rud é go bhfuilimid in ann an Ghaeilge a chloisteáil go héirimiúil sa díospóireacht? Gabhaim comhghairdeas don Aire Stáit as sin.

Táim fíorbhuíoch seans a bheith agam cúpla focal a rá faoi Bhille na Gaeltachta 2012. Tar éis éisteacht leis an díospóireacht sa Seanad agus sa Dáil, is léir nach bhfuil suim amháin ag an Aire Stáit san ábhar seo, tá grá aige san ábhar. Tá an grá sin, agus an nasc ag an Aire Stáit lena theanga dhúchais measctha sa Bhille seo.

Tar éis na mblianta agus é ina urlabhraí Ghaeltachta ar son Fhine Gael, tá sé ina Aire Stáit chun an Bille seo a thabhairt os comhair an Tí, suíomh ina bhfuil deis aige dóchas a thabhairt ar ais do na daoine ar a bhfuil imní faoi thodhchaí na teanga ina dhiaidh bheith ag éisteacht le gealltanais gan toradh. Dá réir sin, gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit, ní amháin faoin Bhille seo ach tar éis gach rud atá déanta aige ar feadh 30 bliain anuas ar son mhuintir na Gaeltachta, mhuintir na n-oileán agus, go háirithe, ar son thodhchaí na teanga.

Seo an chéad príomhathrú sa dlí ar ábhar na Gaeltachta ó 1956. Ag an am sin bhí an tUas Richard Mulcahy ina Aire Talmhaíochta agus thug sé Bille os comhair na Dála a bhunaigh Roinn na Gaeltachta.

Maidir leis an reachtaíocht, ní as ceantar Ghaeltachta mé ach tá an-suim agam i mo theanga dhúchais. Tháinig an tsuim seo ón am a chaith mé ag traenáil le bheith i mo mhúinteoir bunscoile, agus mé i mo mhac léinn i gColáiste Muire gan Smál i Luimneach. Cosúil le roinnt daoine, agus iad ina 30í, bhí an Ghaeilge beagnach caillte agam. Sula ndeachaigh mé chuig Muire gan Smál, chuaigh mé chuig Ollscoil Luimnigh chun cúrsaí cumarsáide a bhaint amach. Sa chúrsa sin, bhí tuismitheoirí óga ag déanamh iarracht an teanga a athfhoghlaim chun cabhair a thabhairt do na páistí sa bhaile. Tuismitheoirí ón mheán-oirthear iad a chaith suas le 13 bliain ag foghlaim na Gaeilge ar scoil. Ag an am nuair a bhí a chéad ghlúin eile tar éis tosú sa bhunscoil, ní raibh siad in ann comhrá a dhéanamh leis na páistí. Sin an t-am nuair a bhuail sé mé go raibh an-chuid fadhbanna sna modhanna múinteoireachta atá againn sa Ghaeilge agus nuair a thug mé faoi deara nach bhfuil deiseanna réalaíocha don chuid is mó den daonra úsáid a bhaint as an Ghaeilge.

Dá réir sin, agus mé ag smaoineamh faoin mBille seo i rith na seachtaine, chuir mé ceist orm féin an bhfuil aon ionadh ann mura ndéantar gníomh práinneach nach mbeidh fágtha ag an Ghaeilge ach 15 do 20 bliain mar theanga phobail agus theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht. Tá an ráiteas sin scanrúil go leor mar mura ndéanaimid go léir ár ndícheall ar son ár dteanga dhúchais beidh an Gaeilge marbh i gceann 20 bliain, agus ní bheidh inti ach teanga acadúil. Sin é an fáth go bhfuil mé ag tabhairt tacaíochta don Bhille seo. Nílim buartha in aon nós faoin easpa toghchán don údarás, nó faoin méid airgid a bheidh ar fáil do na daoine a bheidh ar an mbord. Níl mé buartha faoi fheidhmeanna an údaráis, mar tá roinnt Teachtaí sa Teach seo, ó na dáilcheantair ina bhfuil Gaeltachtaí, Teachta a bhfuil an t-ádh acu seasamh sa toghchán d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Inseoidh mé rud amháin faoin údarás, áfach. Ba chóir do gach Roinn, gach údarás poiblí agus gach feidhmeannach Stáit i bhfad níos mó a dhéanamh don phobal le níos lú airgid ná an méid a bhí ar fáil go dtí seo.

Ar an bpointe seo, tá súil agam go bhfuil an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil ag éisteacht leis an díospóireacht seo agus ag amharc ar an mBille agus ag ullmhú leasuithe sa reachtaíocht don rialtas áitiúil ar fud na tíre. Impím ar an Aire obair a dhéanamh leis na hAirí, go háirithe leis an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna, ar an ábhar sin mar ní silver bullet don teanga é an Bille seo. Mar a dúirt mé i dtosach, tar éis 13 bliain, ag foghlaim na Gaeilge, bhí sí beagnach caillte agam agus mura ndéanaimid go léir iarracht chun an taoide sin a athrú, beidh an teanga fós i mbaol. Ní purist mé in aon chór ach is léir ón méid atá ráite agam, agus níl an Ghaeilge chomh láidir agam i gcomparáid le mo chomhghleacaithe Gaeltachta, gur cúis bhróid dom bheith in ann seasamh sa Pharlaimint náisiúnta chun na focail seo a rá i mo theanga dhúchais. Sa mhéid ama a bheidh an t-ádh agam bheith i mo Theachta Dála ar son mhuintir Luimnigh, tá súil agam go mbeidh deiseanna eile an Ghaeilge a úsáid.

Gabhaim comhghairdeas don Aire Stáit agus tá súil agam go mbeidh an t-ádh leis.

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht agus an deis cúpla focal a rá ar an mBille thar a bheith tábhachtach seo. Ba mhaith liom tréslú leis an Aire Stáit faoin bhfuinneamh atá léirithe aige ó ghlac sé a oifig. Tá iarrachtaí leanúnacha a dhéanamh aige chun an teanga a chur chun cinn.

I acknowledge the passion, energy and commitment the Minister of State has shown for the language since he assumed office a little more than a year ago. There is no denying that the language is in decline, particularly in certain parts of the country. The Minister of State has an opportunity and a responsibility to pursue a course which will revive the language. It is an opportunity that might not present itself to future Ministers with responsibility for the Gaeltacht. Since the Minister of State took office he has assumed this role with vigour and enthusiasm at a time when we find our language at a crossroads.

There has been a discernible reduction in the use of the Irish in designated Gaeltacht areas. Without the Minister of State's urgent intervention at this point, we are facing the prospect of its substantive extinction as a community and household language within the next 20 years. His commitment has manifested itself through this Bill and it represents a final opportunity to rescue the language and reinvigorate its use.

To turn to some important aspects of the Bill, it provides for a geographical redefinition of the Gaeltacht. It is only right that in the increasingly globalised world in which we live that geographic boundaries should no longer define where our language is promoted, where it should thrive and where our efforts in nurturing, encouraging and developing its use should be focused.

By defining Gaeltacht areas and narrowing our focus on these limited corners of the country we are merely consigning the language to quarantine where it will await its ultimate extinction. Instead, this Bill provides for Gaeltacht language planning areas which will service towns in the vicinity and will be responsible for the statutory preparation of language plans. It also provides for the designation of language networks in communities outside of Gaeltacht areas, areas within which the use of the language can be fostered and developed. This is a welcome addition and inclusion in the Bill. I would like to see the establishment of some of these language networks in areas of Galway city within which there is a strong pre-existing tradition of use of the language. One such community is Knocknacarra where the language is very much alive and well, thanks in no small part to the contribution made by the local national school, Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, which has its own challenges at present.

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Noímeád amháin.

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Noímeád amháin; is the Acting Chairman allowing me cúig noímeád?

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Bill also amends the functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta and radically alters the way in which its composition is derived. The Fianna Fáil Party in opposition has been jumping up and down about this Bill but there is no member of that party present in Chamber. Deputy Ó Cuív was here earlier. The members of that party made a song and dance about the way this Bill is being put through the Dáil and Seanad but they are not here to contribute to the debate. Perhaps one of the reasons they are so vehement in their opposition to the Bill is that it takes politics out of the institution which is tasked with promoting the Irish language, and that is right and proper. There is such an important function that it should transcend the political divide. Members of Údarás na Gaeltachta will no longer be directly elected by Gaeltacht communities. Instead they will be appointed by the local authorities and the Minister will also have responsibility to appoint a number of members. This will facilitate the appointment of members with an acute expertise in language development that will be important in the onerous task we have of reviving the language. I have a little more to say but I note the Acting Chairman is signalling that I should conclude.

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I would like to allow the Deputy more time but I have to be conscious of the time limits.

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This Bill institutionalises reform that will ultimately result in the reinvigoration of our language. I welcome the Bill and acknowledge the huge contribution the Minister of State has made in the short time that he has been in office.

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Tá géarghá le ghníomhú an-láidir maidir le staid na Gaeilge mar theanga labhartha agus staid na Gaeltachta mar áit a bheidh lán de dhaoine gur féidir leo an Ghaeilge a labhairt go laethúil mar ghnáththeanga. Tá sé scanrúil, mar a léirigh an staidéar chuimsitheach teangeolaíochta ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, go bhfuil aistriú suntasach ó Ghaeilge go Béarla tar éis tarlú sa Ghaeltacht. Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil na torthaí sin fíor, os rud é go bhfuil an aistriú sin le chlos. Tá sé ag tarlú le fada. Is é an rud a screadann an staidéar seo amach ná nach mbeidh ach 15 nó 20 bliain ag an nGaeilge mar theanga phobail agus theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht. Caithfear bheith lán-dáiríre faoin dainséar úd. Luaigh an Teachta Ó Cuív gur dúradh 150 bliain ó shin go mbeadh deireadh leis an nGaeilge de bharr brú eacnamaíochta agus imirce, srl., agus nár tharla sé. Is dóigh liom go bhfuil an brú i bhfad níos géire anois, áfach. Tá brú cultúrtha ar an teanga, mar shampla. Is tríd an iliomad meáin cumarsáide - an chuid is mó dóibh i mBéarla - a bhfaigheann daoine óga na Gaeltachta a gcuid eolais agus a théann siad i dteagmháil le ghnéithe an tsaoil mhór a bhaineann lena saoil féin. Dá bhrí sin, caithfear bheith lán-dáiríre i dtaobh an bhrú faoina bhfuil an Ghaeilge. Tá sé cinnte, faraoir, go bhfuil teangacha caillte agus á gcailliúnt fós ar fud an domhain, díreach mar atá plandaí luachmara á dhíothú i bhforaoiseacha an domhain. Is féidir nasc a dhéanamh idir an brú atá ag cur isteach ar an teanga agus an brú atá ag cur isteach ar an bpláinéad ar a mhairimid.

Ní inniu ná inné a tháinig an géarchéim seo chun cinn. Tá bánú na Gaeltachta ag tarlú le fada an lá. Chuir an imirce, go mórmhór, isteach ar an nGaeltacht, ar phobal na Gaeltachta agus ar phobal labhartha na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Tá an imirce mar fhadhb againn ón nGorta Mór, ar ndóigh. San aois deireanach, bhí ar dhaoine óga na Gaeltachta ó Dhún na nGall, Conamara agus Ciarraí dul thar lear sna tríochaidí, daichidí, caogaidí agus fiú na seascaidí chun postanna a fháil. Mar ghasúir óg sna seascaidí, is cuimhin liom go mbeadh na busanna ag fanacht ar na crosbóithre nuair a bhí an fómhar bailithe isteach agus obair an tsamhraidh déanta chun daoine óga a thógaint go dtí na báid a thógfadh iad go Sasana. Tháinig an rud céanna ar ais i rith géarchéim eacnamaíochta na n-ochtóidí. Faraoir, tá an rud céanna ann anois i saol na ndaoine de bharr na géarchéime eacnamaíochta agus de bharr an pholasaí dian, gealltach na fiacha lofa a bhí ag bancanna móra agus lucht spéacláireachta a íoc. Fiacha iad seo nach raibh baint ag muintir na tíre leo. Cuireann íoc na bhfiacha seo isteach ar gheilleagar agus eacnamaíocht na tíre agus is í an dífhostaíocht ceann de na fadhbanna is mó dá bharr. Tá an dífhostaíocht ag cur isteach go mór ar ghach ceann de na Gaeltachtaí. Ar ndóigh, is iad géarchéim chaipitleachais an lae inniu agus na fadhbanna eacnamaíochta a leanann é bun fréamh an-chuid den bhrú nua atá ar na Gaeltachtaí anois, go bhfuil ar na daoine óga imeacht uathu - agus tá an teanga ag imeacht leo. Tá sin náireach agus dainséarach, go mórmhór don Ghaeilge.

Mar a dúradh cheana, tá an brú cultúrtha ar an Ghaeilge agus ar an Ghaeltacht ag treisiú in aghaidh an lae. De bharr sin, tá gníomh dearfach láidir ag teastáil. Ach an bhfuil sin sa Bhille seo? Caithfear a rá go bhfuil díomá ar an-chuid daoine a bhfuil suim acu sa Ghaeilge. Cuireann siad fáilte mór roimh an Bhille toisc go bhfuil Bille ann agus go bhfuil díospóireacht ar siúl agus go bhfuil staidéar déanta, ach ba mhaith leo níos mó díospóireachta faoi chuid de na pleananna atá á chur chun cinn i dtreo agus go mbeidh Bille agus Acht dá réir níos fearr maidir le ceist na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Tá gá freisin na fadhbanna a nochtadh dúinn ag daoine go bhfuil suim acu sa scéal seo a phlé, mar shampla, nár deineadh aon athbhreithniú ar theorainneacha na Gaeltachta ó na teorainneacha a leagadh síos i 1956. N'fheadar cén fáth go bhfuil sin amhlaidh, mar cinnte tá leath den daonra atá ag maireachtáil sna Gaeltachtaí anois nach bhfuil Gaeilge á labhairt acu. Tá an t-athrú mór a léirigh an staidéar le 50 bliain anuas le feiceáil taobh istigh de sean teorainneacha na Gaeltachta. I mo thuairim, ba cheart teorainneacha nua réadúla a leagaint síos ionas go mbeadh fíor Ghaeltachtaí againn ina mbeadh tromlach na ndaoine ag labhairt Gaeilge mar theanga laethúil. Cuirfeadh sin dlús leis na Gaeltachtaí maidir le gníomhaíocht iontu. Aon maoiniú ná aon acmhainní a bheadh á chur isteach, ba cheart go mbeadh dlús leo agus na háiteanna ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge láidir fós chun í a choimeád beo iontu.

Maidir leis na limistéir pleanála teanga Gaeltachta, i bprionsabal, más rud e go dtugann siad sin cumhacht do ghnáth daoine agus eagraíochtaí atá ag déanamh ionadaíochta ar ghnáth daoine chun an teanga a chur chun cinn mar teanga laethúil, fáiltím roimh sin. Ach tá imní ar dhaoine maidir leis an maoiniú agus an chabhair agus na hacmhainní a bheidh le fáil ag na heagraíochtaí pleanála. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go mbeadh acmhainní agus maoiniú ar fáil dóibh. Muna mbeidh, ní bheidh siad in ann an obair chuí a dhéanamh. Is ceist an-thábhachtach í an cheist i dtaobh maoiniú na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Ní cheart go mbeadh na Gaeltachtaí agus na pleananna nua seo thíos de bharr na géarchéime eacnamaíochta agus na ciorruithe atá á chur i bhfeidhm maidir leis an gcaiteachas poiblí, faoi mar atá ag tarlú i láthair na huaire. Dá bhrí sin, caithfidh an tAire agus an Rialtas na pointí sin a ardú agus caithfidh siad a bheith dáiríre faoi na hacmhainní agus an chabhair a chaithfear a thabhairt.

Tá gníomh láidir ag teastáil chomh maith, ní amháin sa Ghaeltacht ach taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus mór thimpeall na tíre. Tá an-chuid atá dearfach faoin mhéid atá tar éis tarlú le 20 nó 30 bliain anuas. Níl aon dabht ach gur tugadh acmhainn do na Gaelscoileanna atá anois ar fud na tíre, sna cathracha agus sna bailte agus go bhfuil glúin daoine a chuaigh tríd na Gaelscoileanna sin sna fichidí agus níos sine agus go labhraíonn siad fós an Ghaeilge. Mar shampla, labhraíonn siad liomsa í nuair a bhuaileann siad liom. Tá glúin óg, déagóirí agus a leithéid, ann anois go bhfuil an-chumas acu maidir leis an Ghaeilge. Tá an-ghrá acu don Ghaeilge agus teastaíonn uathu go mbeadh an teanga in úsáid acu ina saol laethúil. Ar ndóigh, ní thiocfaidh an Ghaeilge thar nais mar phríomh teanga labhartha na tíre seo ariamh agus caithfimid a bheith réadúil faoi sin. Ach an rud atá uainn agus go gcaithfear a chur i gcrích ná go mbeidh an Ghaeilge i gcónaí ann mar theanga ar chomh-leibhéal. Ó thaobh daonra labhartha, caithfear teanga láidir a bheith againn agus caithfidh buíon an-láidir de dhaoine mór thimpeall na tíre a bheith in ann gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge ionas go mbeidh tír dhá theangach againn i gcónaí mar thodhcaí. Tubaiste agus tragóid a bheadh ann dá gcaillfí an teanga. Caithfimid cuimhneamh ar na glúinte atá fós le teacht. Muna mbeidh an Ghaeilge beo céad bhliain ó inniu, beidh sé deacair do dhaoine a tír féin a thuiscint, fiú rud chomh simplí le logainmneacha. Dá bhrí sin, tá sé an-tábhachtach go dtabharfar chomh maith tacaíocht don teanga taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht.

Maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus maidir leis an gcaoi go bhfuil an tAire Stáit ag bascadh toghchán díreacha don údarás, is céim siar í sin. Is buille don daonlathas agus do dhaonlathas muintir na Gaeltachta é an cinneadh seo. Measaim nár cheart dul ar aghaidh leis. De réir uachtarán Conradh na Gaeilge:

An bhuairt eile atá ar Chonradh na Gaeilge ná nach mbeidh Údarás na Gaeltachta ionadaíoch ar an bpobal ar a fhreastalaíonn sé air a thuilleadh, de réir mar a sheasann cúrsaí faoin mBille Gaeltachta faoi láthair agus uireasa toghchán poiblí ann do chomhaltaí Bhord an Údaráis. Tá an-bhaol ann gur ceapacháin pholaitíochta a bheidh sna ceapacháin chun Bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta mura mbíonn aon ionchur ón bpobal i dtoghchán na gcomhaltaí ar an mBord, ná mura mbíonn deis ag baill an phobail cur isteach ar an mBord, fiú má tá na sainscileanna a bheadh in oiriúint d'obair an Údaráis acu.

Céim siar is ea é seo. N'fheadar cén fáth go bhfuil an tAire Stáit agus an Rialtas ag dul síos an bóthar seo. Ní ghlacaim leis, i ndáiríre, gur costas atá i gceist mar ní féidir praghas a chur ar an daonlathas. Mar phrionsabal, ba cheart go mbeadh ionadaíocht díreach ag muintir na Gaeltachta go dtí an t-údarás. Is cinnte go gcaithfear an t-údarás a athrú chun é a dhéanamh níos fearr agus níos éifeachtaí, ach ba cheart an daonlathas a choimeád ag an am céanna.

Tiocfaidh mé ar ais go dtí cúrsaí eacnamaíochta chun todhchaí na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a phlé. Má leanann an géarchéim seo ar aghaidh ar feadh na blianta fada, tiocfaidh dlús níos mó fós ar an mbrú atá á chur ar an nGaeltacht i láthair na huaire. Tá an-dáinséar ag baint leis an ngéarchéim eacnamaíochta agus ag teacht as na polasaithe déine agus ciorraithe atá á gcur i gcrích ag an Rialtas seo, díreach mar an Rialtas deireanach. Tá na daoine óga á thiomáint amach as na Gaeltachtaí. Beidh an fadhb níos measa fós má leanann an cúlú ar aghaidh. Bhí smaointí radacacha agus sóisialaí an-láidir sna Gaeltachtaí ag amanna difriúla. Sna seascaidí agus ag tús na seachtóidí, mar shampla, bhí an-tacaíocht i measc cainteoirí Gaeilge do smaointí ón eite chlé, an sóisialachas agus a leithéid. Tá sé sin ag teastáil arís.

Caithfear cúrsaí eacnamaíochta a athrú bun os cionn agus deireadh a chur leis an gcóras lofa atá ag tabhairt an oiread sin géarchéime do ghnáthdhaoine agus ag bánú pobail mórthimpeall na tíre, na Gaeltachtaí ina measc. Dá mbeadh geilleagar daonlathach sóisialach againn, ina ndéanfaí na n-acmhainní a fhorbairt ar mhaithe le tromlach na ndaoine seachas milliúin a íoc do lucht spéacláireachta na tíre, d'fhéadfaí pleananna agus a leithéid a chur i ngníomh chun deireadh a chur le bánú na Gaeltachta agus imirce na ndaoine óga. Sa chás sin, bheadh cúrsaí geallagair agus eacnamaíochta faoi bhláth agus d'fhéadfadh an ghlúin óg a bhí orthu imeacht teacht ar ais go dtí a n-áiteanna dúchais. Ní féidir labhairt faoi todhchaí na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta gan labhairt faoin gcomhthéacs eacnamaíochta agus - mór an trua - faoin ngéarchéim eacnamaíochta agus na polasaithe déine atá ag cur isteach chomh mór agus ag déanamh an oiread sin damáiste don tír agus do mhuintir na tíre agus muintir na Gaeltachta, an ghlúin óg go coitianta.

Photo of Robert DowdsRobert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Ba mhaith liom mo chuid ama a roinnt leis na Teachtaí Nolan agus Conway.

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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An bhfuil sé sin aontaithe? Aontaithe.

2:00 pm

Photo of Robert DowdsRobert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Ba mhaith liom an obair atá á dhéanamh ag an Aire Stáit a mholadh. Guím gach ráth air leis an mBille seo. Tá súil againn ar fad go gcabhróidh sé lenár dteanga a chaomhnú agus a neartú amach anseo. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil an Bille seo ar úrlár na Dála. Is oth liom a rá go bhfuil an Ghaeilge, cosúil le formhór teangacha dúchasacha an domhain, i mbaol a báis. Is mar sin a bhí sé ó thús an 20ú aois. Ní féidir le éinne praghas a chur ar thábhacht agus fiúntas ár dteanga. Tá focail agus nathanna cainte speisialta ag baint le haon teanga. Tá litríocht aonarach ag baint leis na seanfhocail, na modhanna smaointe, na logainmneacha agus a leithéid. Táimid i mbaol iad a chailliúnt go deo. Is cúis bhróin é sin dom agus don domhan ar fad. Má chailleann muid an Ghaeilge, cailliúnt a bheidh ann don tír ar fad. Is cúis díoma é go bhfuil sé i bhfad níos éasca orainn meas agus tuiscint a bheith again ar fhilí Shasanach ná ar fhilí a scríobh sa Ghaeilge. Má táimid chun ár n-oidhreacht a choimeád beo, caithfimid sár-obair a dhéanamh ar son na Gaeilge. Is léir ón achoimre ar an mBille seo go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ar leaba a báis fiú sa Ghaeltacht. Ba cheart do gach lámh den Stát i bhfad níos mó a dhéanamh chun seans a thabhairt do mhuintir na Gaeltachta a ghnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge nuair atá siad ag déileáil leis an Státseirbhís, le dochtúirí nó na gardaí.

Tá mé lán-sásta le halt 11 na Bille seo, a bhaineann le líonraí Gaeilge. Má táimid chun an Ghaeilge a choimeád beo, caithfimid gach spreagadh a thabhairt di sa Ghalltacht, go mórmhór sna cathracha agus sna bailte. Is é sin an fáth go bhfuil alt 11 chomh tábhachtach. Tá obair den scoth déanta ag daoine agus grúpaí ar son an teanga i roinnt áiteanna ar fud na tíre. Bhunaíodar bunscoileanna agus meanscoileanna as a stuaim féin. Bunaíodh eagraíochtaí chun an Ghaeilge agus gach gné de chultúr na hÉireann a chur chun cinn. Tá mé i mo chónaí i gceann de na ceantair sin, Cluain Dolcáin i mBaile Átha Cliath. Tá grúpa Muintir Chrónáin ag cur an Ghaeilge chun cinn le nach mór 40 bliain. Tá nach mór deich scoileanna bunaithe timpeall an cheantair agus, mar aschur as sin, tá an Ghaeilge curtha ar fáil do na mílte páistí, roinnt de mo fhoireann ina measc. Bíonn caint, ceol agus rince Gaelach ar siúl sa lárionad thíos in Áras Chrónáin. Mar a dúirt mé cheana, tháinig sé seo ar fad as an obair iontach a rinne grúpa beag de ghnáthdhaoine a raibh suim acu sa Ghaeilge. Ba cheart stádas speisialta a thabhairt d'áiteanna mar seo mar atá i gceist faoi alt 11. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuíl bailte éagsúla eile - Ceatharlach agus Inis, mar shampla - cosúil le Cluain Dolcáin. Tá sé ceart go bhfuil sé scríofa sa Bhille go mbeidh ar áiteanna cosúil le Cluain Dolcáin pleananna a dhéanamh chun an teanga a chur chun cinn.

Cé go bhfuil tús maith déanta againn, caithfear misniú agus brú a chur ar dhaoine an Ghaeilge a úsáid.

Leis an fhírinne a rá, tá sé níos éasca dúinn Béarla a úsáid ná Gaeilge. Ba chóir don Rialtas spreagadh a thabhairt do aon ghrúpa a bhfuil suim aige sa Ghaeilge. I mBaile Átha Cliath, mar shampla, tá club úrnua de chuid Chumann Lúthchleas Gael ina labhrann na baill lena chéile i nGaeilge amháin. Na Gaeil Óga is ainm don chlub agus bunaíodh é dhá bhliain ó shin. Tá an club tar éis fás ó fhoireann amháin d'fhir go ceithre fhoireann anois idir peil, iománaíocht agus peil na mban agus, de réir mar a thuigim, tá foireann camógaíochta ar an tsli acu. Tá club díreach cosúil leis seo tar éis a bheith bunaithe i mBéal Feirsde.

Dá mbéadh a dhóthain suime ann bhéadh sé úsáideach eastáit tithíochta a thógáil le haghaidh clanna a bhfuil suim acu in úsáid na Gaeilge mar theanga laethúil. Tá an ceart ag an Aire go bhfuil sé scríofa san mBille go mbeidh scrúdú le déanamh ar gach líonra Gaeilge a bhfuil dul chun cinn le feiceáil ó thaobh labhairt na Gaeilge de.

Molaim an Bille.

Photo of Derek NolanDerek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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Le cead an Tí, roinnfidh mé mo chuid ama leis an Teachta Ciara Conway.

Tá an-áthas orm deis a fháil labhairt ar an mBille seo. Is Bille tábhachtach é don Ghaeltacht agus dos na mílte cainteoirí Gaeilge ar fud na tíre. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an obair a rinne sé ar an mBille agus as freastal ar na cruinnithe go léir inar deineadh an Bille a phlé. Níl dabht ar bith faoin tiomántas atá aige don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus don phost thábhachtach atá aige.

Is onóir mhór dom bheith i mo ionadaí don Ghaeltacht is mó sa tír, ina bhfuil na Forbacha, Indreabhán, Ceantar na n-Oileán agus Ros a' Mhichíl, agus lár na cathrach i nGaillimh chomh maith. Is í an teanga a chuireann leis an gculrúr saibhir atá le feiceáil i nGaillimh agus is cathair dhá-theangach í, rud a bhfuilimid an-bhródúil as. Nárbh iontach an rud cultúr na Gaeltachta a fheiceáil ar fud na cathrach i rith an Volvo Ocean Race an tseachtain seo caite, leis na curacha agus báid tradisiúnta in éineacht leis na luaimh móra ó gach aird den domhan?

Tá an Bille tábhachtach, ní hamháin do thodhchaí na Gaeltachta, ach do thodhchaí na teanga fresin. Cuireann sé próiseas pleanála teanga le chéile a leanann ón straitéis 20 bliain. Beidh plean teanga éagsúil ag gach comhluadar agus tá 19 gcomhluadar ina n-iomlán. Tá dhá cheann i nGaillimh, na Forbacha-Ros a' Mhichíl agus An Cheathrú Rua-Ceantar na n-Oileán. Beidh Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na comhluchtaí éagsúla Gaeilge i ngach ceantar freagrach as an stratéis a chur infeidhm. Fáiltím roimh an bpróiseas sin.

There has been consternation in some circles over the change in the authority and composition of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Sometimes an attempt is made to isolate the Gaeltacht rather than to view Irish as a phenomenon that is part of the entire country. If one creates an authority that looks after the Gaeltacht alone and separates it from the language, one creates pockets of Irishness and of the Irish language as opposed to regarding the language as a part of everybody's culture throughout the country.

To have the newly composed board looking after the development of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht with the plans and to have Foras na Gaeilge working outside the Gaeltacht with a similar objective creates a much more broad strategy for the Irish language than the strategy simply saying a certain pocket must survive. It is a question of saying we must protect what we have and also develop and expand. The new structure of Údarás na Gaeltachta, which entails working with Foras na Gaeilge as the North-South body, is very much to be welcomed and endorsed.

I am glad the enterprise function of Údarás na Gaeltachta is being maintained to the extent that it will work and share resources with Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. The latter bodies are experts in this regard. It has been shown that they can work very well together. It was announced that Mylan is to create hundreds of new jobs in the Gaeltacht. This project was worked on by the IDA in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta. This represents very good and efficient use of resources.

The Irish language is a beautiful cultural asset and makes Ireland different from the rest of the world. The language, in itself, is an expression of difference. This is evident in the Gaeltacht, where there are different traditions and sayings and different ways of doing things and thinking. The language is a verbal expression of a difference in culture and it is extremely important that we maintain it.

Sometimes the institutional way in which we deal with the Irish language, as in the education system, is such that the language is just seen as one of words. This approach to teaching the language to young people in the education system and bodies of State turns people off. It is just a different way of saying the same thing. We should be saying Irish is a different language with a different culture and that it is associated with a different sense of Irishness that one can access and participate in, thus making oneself and society richer.

I welcome the Bill. It presents a great opportunity to develop the Irish language and maintain it in the Gaeltacht areas. It should be maintained, given space to develop and expand. We must look beyond the Gaeltacht to create Irish language strategies in every community. The Gaeltacht movement, from the Gaeltacht schools to those who have developed an interest in the language, is going from strength to strength. There is a great future for the language and this legislation is one step along the way. I am sure the Minister of State will agree there is definitely space for a broader debate on Stráitéis 20 Bliain and other measures we can take to encourage and protect Irish and look after the communities for whom it is the first language. The unique pockets of culture and identity should be protected.

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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May I be indulged before I ask Deputy Conway to make her contribution? A metaphor comes to mind: the Irish language is like an Irish stew and the Gaeltacht is the lamb that adds body and flavour to it.

Photo of Ciara ConwayCiara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Níl aon recipes agam ach leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh ar aon nós. Tá an áthas orm seans chun labhairt ar an mBille. Is mór an trua é nach bhfuil mé chomh líofa is a bhí mé nuair a bhí mé ag freastal ar an mheánscoil. Throughout the debate, it has been said that when people leave school, they no longer feel the same onus is on them to speak the language. Bhí mé ag freastal ar ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus bhí seans agam an díoplóma sa Ghaeilge a dhéanamh. It stopped there I am afraid. Is mór an trua é, ach leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh ar aon nós.

We need to look back and remember where we were. Under the Fianna Fáil-led Administration, there was prolonged speculation as to what would happen with Údarás na Gaeltachta. There was talk of abolition or, if not abolition, serious, if not radical, dilution. The McCarthy report recommended the transfer of the agency's enterprise development remit within the Gaeltacht to Enterprise Ireland. In any event, the former Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, had overseen an 80% reduction in the capital budget of Údarás na Gaeltachta by comparison with the 14% reduction in the case of Enterprise Ireland. It is worth remembering the position we were in.

The remit of Údarás na Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, as it was to become under Deputy Ó Cuív's interpretation of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language, was to cover the whole country, a proposal that did not bode well for small Gaeltacht communities, such as An Rinn agus An Sean Phobal i bPort Láirge. The election of a new board for Údarás na Gaeltachta, due in 2010, was postponed indefinitely and the filling of the agency's CEO position was also put on hold. The current Government acted decisively to secure the agency's role as an economic and social development agency in the Gaeltacht areas of seven counties, including An Rinn and An Sean Phobal. The Minister of State is to be commended on his work.

Beginning with the Government's decision on 31 May 2011 and supplemented by recent developments, the Minister of State has been able to confirm that Údarás na Gaeltachta will, in addition to its important and enhanced cultural and social roles, continue as a business support and enterprise promotion agency in An Rinn, An Seana Phobal and designated parts of six other counties. It is right that Údarás na Gaeltachta will do this in co-operation with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. That a new CEO has been appointed at Údarás na Gaeltachta is welcome and arrangements are proceeding to constitute a new, reduced board.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Foras na Gaeilge will co-ordinate the promotion of the language in non-Gaeltacht areas, allowing for the possibility of service towns near Gaeltacht areas, for example, Dungarvan, to acquire special designation and support. This should be broadly welcomed. For a town like Dungarvan, which is both close and apart from the Gaeltacht, the proposed reforms will do much to encourage the language and the beautiful tapestry presented by Gaeilge na Mumhan and Gaeltacht na nDeise. It is an important move for all of the citizens of Port Láirge.

The definition of Gaeltacht areas will be based on local language planning, a relevant practice that is already ongoing in many communities like An Rinn agus An Seana Phobal. Opportunities will exist for areas or language networks outside of the Gaeltacht so that the language can broaden. As Deputy Nolan mentioned, there are pockets of enriched areas where Gaeilge is the first language, but we need to do more to broaden it. Many of those who have been following the debate told me of their reluctance to speak the language because of the embarrassment of getting it wrong. Everyone needs to try and to use the cúpla focal and everyday terminology, which is something I try to do with my daughter at home. She is a great advocate for the language, long may it continue. Her mother stopped after her leaving certificate oral examination.

Small Gaeltacht areas like An Rinn agus An Seana Phobal have been important in the stimulation of employment. Compared with other areas, we have boxed above our weight. This is no more so than in the case of Nemeton Teo, a television production company that is going from strength to strength. It brings the old and the new together, namely, our Irish language and digital communication. The Setanta Sports channel is produced and broadcasted from our Gaeltacht. The company is a major source of employment and has been able to work in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology in delivering an educational diploma in television and radio communications, thereby bringing a new generation of people to the language in their everyday work. This is commendable. I hope that the Minister of State will remember this example, as small Gaeltacht areas have a large role to play. In light of the David and Goliath position in which such areas find themselves, they often do more than others through the use of creative approaches towards promoting the language, creating employment opportunities, etc.

The Minister of State will visit our area this summer to open Coláiste na Mumhan, which has a long tradition of being the Gaeltacht for adults. Perhaps I should check into it to improve my language skills during the coming months. When the Minister of State visited An Rinn a few months ago, he saw the level of interest in the language, in job creation and in bringing together the new and the old.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Tá an Bille seo iontach tabhachtach. Táimid ag labhairt faoi todhchaí na Gaeilge agus todhchaí na Gaeltachta. Tá a fhios ag an Aire Stáit go bhfuil an todhchaí sin i gcontúirt. Tá an Ghaeilge á labhairt sa tír le níos mó ná 2,000 bliain. Nuair a bunaíodh an Stát, bhí an Ghaeilge á labhairt ag 250,000 duine sa Ghaeltacht. Is figiúr an-mhór é sin. Sna fichidí agus sna triochaidí, bhí an Ghaeilge á labhairt mar teanga dúchais i gcontaetha Aontroma, Doire, an Chabháin, Ard Mhacha, an Lú, Liatroma, Shligigh, Ros Comáin, an Chláir, Tiobraid Árainn agus Cill Chainnigh. Diúltaigh Rialtas na linne sin na moltaí a rinne Coimisiún na Gaeltachta i 1926 a thógaint san áireamh. Ba cheart dúinn smaoineamh ar sin. Ag an am sin, dúirt an coimisiún gur cheart go mbeadh teagmháil idir an Stát agus an Ghaeltacht trí Ghaeilge. Níor tógadh an comhairle sin. Os rud é gur theip ar gach Rialtas ó shin an tacaíocht cuí a thabhairt don Ghaeltacht, ní raibh an teagmháil idir an Stát agus an Ghaeltacht trí Ghaeilge.

Dúirt tuarascáil a d'fhoilsigh Bord na Gaeilge i 1987 go raibh gníomhaireachtaí riaracháin an Stáit i measc na fórsaí is cumhachtaí i gceantair Gaeltachta. Tá an-chuid taighde déanta ag an Stát ó shin. De réir an staidéar chuimsitheach, níl fágtha ag teanga náisiúnta na tíre seo ach 15 nó 20 bliain. Is rud uafásach tábhachtach é seo. Tá an scéal iontach truamhéalach. B'fhéidir gur seo an ghlúin deireanach ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge á labhairt mar teanga dúchasach na tíre. B'fhéidir go bhfuil 2,000 bliain ag teacht chun deiridh leis an ghlúin seo. Mar sin, tá an-dhualgas agus an-fhreagraíocht ar an ghlúin seo. Tá an Ghaeltacht ag meath agus ag cúngú bliain i ndiaidh bliain. Tá daoine ag snámh in aghaidh an tsrutha in áiteanna éagsúla. Tá bac curtha ar an meath sin i gceantair difriúla. Tá borradh ag teacht ar an nGaeilge anseo is ansiúd. Is eisceachtaí iad na háiteanna sin.

Tá a fhios ag gach éinne go bhfuil an t-aláram ag bualadh don Ghaeltacht. D'fhoilsigh an Rialtas Bille na Gaeltachta 2012 mar fhreagra ar an gceist práinneach seo. Bhíomar ag feitheamh le fada. Tá 60 bliain imithe ón iarracht deireanach. Le bliain anuas, gach uair a chuir mé ceisteanna ar an Aire Stáit dúirt sé liom go raibh an reachtaíocht seo ag teacht agus thug sé go leor geallúintí faoi cad a bheadh inti. Tá an-díoma orainn mar pháirtí faoin mBille seo. Os rud é go bhfuil an cheist seo chomh tábhachtach, ba cheart go mbeadh an reachtaíocht seo ceart. Ba chóir go mbeadh na fadhbanna go léir iarnáilte amach as an reachtaíocht. Tá díospóireacht ceart san Oireachtas riachtanach chun é sin a dhéanamh. Is dóigh liom go bhfuil an Rialtas ag iarraidh an Bille seo a bhrostú roimh deireadh téarma seo na Dála. Tá Sinn Féin ag iarraidh 78 leasú a dhéanamh ar an mBille seo. Is léir go mbeidh leasuithe breise le moladh ag na páirtithe eile. Tá sé dochreidte go mbeidh orainn déileáil leis na leasuithe sin i gceann seachtain amháin. Tá an Rialtas chun Chéim an Choiste agus an Tuarascáil a eagrú ar an lá céanna. Tá sin dochreidte. Ní bheimid in an déileáil le ceathrú na leasuithe atá ann. Ní gearán polaitiúil é seo, tá na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge uile ar buille go bhfuil an Rialtas ag brú na reachtaíochta seo tríd an Oireachtas. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil brú ar an Rialtas mar tá an toghchán do bhord an údaráis ag teacht agus ba mhaith leis gach rud a réiteach roimh an toghchán sin. Tá a fhios ag an Aire Stáit, áfach, gur féidir linn an toghchán sin a chur ar athló go ceann bliana agus táimid ar an taobh seo sásta cabhrú leis an Aire Stáit chun sin a dhéanamh. Ní gá ach líne amháin a athrú sa reachtaíocht chun sin a dhéanamh.

Beidh an Bille seo mar oidhreacht don Aire Stáit. Nach mbeadh sé go hiontach dá mbeadh muintir na Gaeltachta in ann a rá go raibh an Teachta McGinley freagrach as an mborradh mór atá ag teacht ar an nGaeltacht. Ba cheart go mbeadh daoine in ann a rá go mbeadh an tAire Stáit oscailte do smaointe maithe agus réidh rudaí a athrú? B'fhéidir go mbeadh seo mar an seans deireanach an Ghaeltacht a shábháil. Ní mór dúinn é a dhéanamh i gceart mar sin. Má chuireann an tAire Stáit an Bille ar atráth, ní aontóimid le gach rud ach is féidir na fadhbanna ollmhóra sa Bhille a réiteach gan costas ar bith ar an Stát. Tá tograí maithe sa Bhille, níl aon dabht faoi sin. Aontaím le cúpla rud atá ann sa Bhille. Nílim ag rá go bhfuil an Bille loite ar fad. Tá tograí maithe ann. Mar a dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh agus an Teachta Ó Dochartaigh faoi inné, an fhadhb is mó atá ag daoine ná an easpa daonlathais. Beidh struchtúr an údaráis athruithe agus beidh bearna ó thaobh an daonlathais ann. Ní bheidh baill an údaráis freagrach do mhuintir na Gaeltachta, beidh an nasc idir an Ghaeltacht agus an t-údarás briste. I gContae na Mí, tá dhá Ghaeltacht ann - Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib. As seo amach, is féidir duine as Dún Seachlainn nó Baile Shláine ainmnithe mar bhall an údaráis, duine nach mbeidh air vótaí a lorg i Ráth Chairn nó Baile Ghib agus nach mbeidh freagrach ar na daoine sin. Beidh tionchar mhuintir Ráth Chairn agus Bhile Ghib laghdaithe ar fad.

Botún eile, tá an Bille ag tabhairt neamhairde ar na blianta taighde luachmhar atá déanta. Caitheadh suas le €0.5 milliún ar staidéar cuimsitheach teangeolaíocht ag saineolaithe ó Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge le comhghleacaíocht ó Ollscoil Mhá Nuad, inar rinneadh plé iomlán cuimsitheach le daoine atá ag baint le hearnáil na Gaeilge agus na nGaeltachtaí. Níl an Bille ag glacadh leis na critéir a bhí ann sa staidéar. Dar leis an staidéar sin, tá trí chineál pobal teanga faoi leith laistigh de limistéar reachtúil na Gaeltachta. Tá limistéar catagóire A ann, na háiteanna ina mbíonn níos mó ná 67% de na daoine ag úsáid na Gaeilge go laethúil. Tá limistéar catagóire B ann, a chuimsíonn na ceantair ina mbíonn idir 44% agus 67% faoin gcéad de na daoine ag úsáid na Gaeilge go laethúil agus catagóir C, ceantair ina úsáidtear níos lú ná 44% faoin gcéad de na cainteoirí Gaeilge an teanga ar bhonn laethúil. Tá an Bille seo dall don eolas sin. Níl baint straitéiseach á húsáid ar an eolas sin.

Tá an Rialtas ag iarraidh an Ghaeltacht a bhriseadh suas in 19 ceantar. Níl cuid de na ceantair feiliúnach le chéile. Ní ceart ceantar atá láidir ó thaobh na Gaeilge de a chur isteach le ceantar atá lag. Leagann an cur chuige maidir le pleanáil teanga ualach na hoibre ar eagraíochtaí beaga áitiúla. Tá an scéal níos measa fós. Beidh ceantair le leibhéil dhifriúla measctha le chéile, a chruthóidh deacrachtaí praiticiúla i dtaobh pleanáil teanga. Beidh deacrachtaí ann do cheantair láidre agus do cheantair laga. Má tá plean le hullmhú do cheantar le Gaeilge, ba cheart go mbeadh caighdeán na Gaeilge thart ar an chaighdeán céanna sa cheantar. Ní mar sin a tharlaíonn sa Bhille seo.

Mar a dúirt an Coimisinéir Teanga, ní bheidh feidhm mar cheart le baile ná le Gaeltacht mura gcuirfear dualgas reachtúil ar eagras Stáit a ghnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. I rith na seachtaine, chuir mé glaoch ar an ESB chun gnó a dhéanamh. Roghnaigh mé chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid. De na trí uair a ghlaoigh mé ar an ESB, ní raibh an duine sásta an gnó a dhéanamh agus bhí orm fanacht. Ní bheidh an gnáthdhuine ón Ghaeltacht sásta fanacht trí huaire chun gnó a dhéanamh.

San Oireachtas seo fiú, bhí mé ag iarraidh féachaint inniu ar an díospóireacht a tharla sa Seanad an tseachtain seo caite agus nuair a d'amharc mé ar an Idirlíon, bhí an díospóireacht ar shláinte na n-ainmhithe le fáil, mar bhí sé i mBéarla, ach ní raibh an díospóireacht faoin mBille seo thuas i nGaeilge mar bhí sé i nGaeilge. Chuir mé glaoch ar na hoifigí agus dúradh liom nach bhfuil an fhoireann acu an méid sin a chur suas ar an Idirlíon toisc go bhfuil sé i nGaeilge.

Chuir mé ceist isteach an tseachtain seo faoi cheisteanna a cuireadh an tseachtain seo chugainn. Tháinig duine amháin as oifig na gceist ar ais chugam agus ní raibh sí in ann an cheist a thuiscint agus ní raibh sí in ann é a léamh mar bhí an cheist i nGaeilge agus ní raibh Gaeilge aici. Mura bhfuilimid in ann córas dátheangach a chur i bhfeidhm sa Teach seo, ní bheimid in ann córas dátheangach a chur i bhfeidhm i Ráth Chairn, nó Gort an Choirce nó pé áit eile sa Ghaeltacht.

Mar a dúirt an coimisinéir, bheadh lúb urláir an-suntasach i bhfeidhmiú an Bhille nua Gaeltachta mura gcinntítear treoracha leis go gcuirfí na leasuithe atá le déanamh ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla dualgais reachtúla ar eagrais Stáit a gcuid seirbhísí a sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Mar a luaigh mé i 1926, agus 1986, dúirt na tuarascálacha ansin go raibh an Stát mar fhórsa galldaithe sa Ghaeltacht. Fós nílim in ann an teagmháil idir an Stát agus an Ghaeltacht a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Go dtí go mbeimid in ann sin a réiteach, laghdófar an Ghaeilge. Ní bhíonn Gaeilge le fáil sna húdaráis áitiúla. Níl aon Ghaeilge le fáil ó Chomhairle Bhaile na hUaimhe nó ó Chomhairle Contae na Mí le haghaidh mhuintir Ráth Chairn nó mhuintir Bhaile Ghib. Theip ar an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialta a dhualgas dleathach a líonadh, rud a luaigh an Coimisinéir Teanga ina thuarascáil bhliantúil. Is iad an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna na heagraíochta poiblí a bhíonn i dteagmháil leis an Ghaeltacht agus níl siad in ann a gcuid oibre a dhéanamh. Ba chóir an Ghaeilge a bheith mar theanga oibre i ngach cúirt sa Ghaeltacht. Ba cheart go mbeadh daoine in ann an hGaeilge a roghnú mar theanga oibre. Dé réir Acht an Gharda Síochána 2005. tá ar an choimisinéir gardaí le Gaeilge a lonnú sa Ghaeltacht. Mar is eol, níor cuireadh sin i bhfeidhm i gceantar an Aire Stáit féin, nuair a lonnaíodh gardaí gan Gaeilge ann i gcroílár na Gaeltachta. Caithfimid déileáil leis na rudaí sin.

Rud eile atá an-tábhachtach anseo ná maoiniú agus na hacmhainní a bheidh ar fáil chun na rudaí seo a chur i bhfeidhm i gceart. Nuair a bhí an tAire Stáit ar an dtaobh seo den Teach cúpla bliain ó shin, dúirt sé:

Aontaímid go léir go bhfuil an straitéis tábhachtach, ach tá cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise níos tábhachtaí fós. Tá ceisteanna bunúsacha, tábhachtacha le freagairt ag an Aire. Má amharcann daoine ar chaiteachas na Roinne don bhliain seo agus don bhliain seo chugainn agus na blianta amach romhainn, tá titim thubaisteach ann. In 2007, bhí €112 milliún ag an Roinn agus an bhliain seo chugainn, tá €40 milliún, beagnach an rud adúirt an Bord Snip Nua.

An aontaíonn an tAire Stáit go mbeidh sé an-deacair ar fad freagracht a ghlacadh as straitéis na Gaeilge agus as rudaí eile a bhaineann leis an Ghaeltacht nuair atá titim chomh tubaisteach sin ar an chaiteachas atá ar fáil don Roinn don bhliain seo chugainn agus na blianta le teacht? Níl seo dodhéanta. Tá an Rialtas ag cleasaíocht, mar níl sé i gceist aige ach an straitéis a chur amach, ach gan í a chur i bhfeidhm. Is iad na focail atá léite amach agam, focail an Aire Stáit é féin. Ach náire air, tá an rud céanna ag titim amach inniu. Mar adúirt mo chomhleacaí, an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh, sa Seanad an tseachtain seo caite, tá an cleasaíocht céanna ar bun ag an Aire Stáit sa Bhille seo.

Is léir gur colceathar bocht í an Ghaeilge. Ní fheidhmeoidh an plean gan acmhainní, ach níl an Rialtas in ann iad a chur ar fáil. Ba cheart go mbeadh ról príomha ag an údarás maidir le forbairt na bpleananna seo. Ba cheart go mbeadh teorainn ama leagtha amach chomh maith, ar eagla go leanfaidh an próiseas ar aghaidh gan stad. Tá faitíos orm go mbeidh an próiseas á reachtáil ar bhonn ad hoc, gan tús ná deireadh. Rud eile, cad a tharlóidh ag deireadh an phróisis, ag am na cinniúna, maidir leis na pleananna teanga? Níl eagraíocht neamhspleách ar bith luaite sa reachtaíocht chun breithiúnas a thabhairt ar ché chomh rathúil a bhfuil cur i bhfeidhm an phlean. Tabharfaidh an tAire Stáit a bhreithiúnas. Tá seisean ag cur an chórais polaitiúil i gcroílár an phróisis. Bhí mé ag éisteacht leis na Teachtaí Dála ar thaobh an Rialtais agus gan amhras, beidh Teachtaí Dála, Seanadóirí agus comhairleoirí contae ag stocaireacht ar son a gceantar. Beidh Airí, sa todhcaí, ag tógáil vótaí san áireamh agus iad ag tabhairt bhreithiúnais ar phleananna teanga. Córas claonta a bheidh i gceist. Cad iad na critéir a úsáidfear amach anseo. Ní fios dúinne, mar níl na critéir leagtha amach sa Bhille.

Tá sé dochreidte nach bhfuil aon phróiseas achomhairc léirithe sa Bhille. Má theipeann ar cheantar le plean, sin é - mí-ádh, slán abhaile. Tá géarghá le struchtúr láidir, trédhearcach a sholáthar chun na pleananna Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm i gceart. Ba cheart go mbeadh an próiseas sin oscailte don phobal. Ba cheart go mbeadh struchtúr le haghaidh monatóireacht neamhspleách ann, ach níl sin ann. Mar sin, ní bheidh muinín ag an bpobal as na pleananna. Tá muinín iontach ag muintir na Gaeilge as an gCoimisinéir Teanga agus ba cheart go mbeadh seisean i gceannas ar an mhonatóireacht sin.

Tá an Bille seo lochtach. Ní mo thuairim amháin í seo, ach tuairim gach ceann de na heagraíochtaí a raibh muid ag plé leo faoi seo. Is féidir linn stop a chur leis an bpróiseas agus sos a ghlacadh. Is féidir dul ar aghaidh le bac a chur ar na toghcháin don údarás agus an rud seo a phlé i gceart. Is féidir linn an-chuid oibre a dhéanamh i dtaobh na Gaeltachta, obair nach gcosnódh mórán. Ní bheidh costas níos mó ar an Rialtas as seo amach. Tá sé dochreidte nach bhfuil aigne nó intinn nó croí an Aire Stáit oscailte i dtaobh na hathruithe seo. Cén fáth go bhfuil an doras greamaithe aige in aghaidh na Gaeltachtaí? Cén fáth nach bhfuil cluas an Rialtais ar oscailt ar chor ar bith? Cén fáth nach bhfuil an Rialtas ag tabhairt seans na rudaí seo a phlé i gceart. Mar adúirt mé cheana, táimid ag fanacht leis an mBille seo le 60 bliain. Tá deis iontach againn anois. Iarraim agus impím ar an Aire Stáit athrú a dhéanamh ar seo anois.

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to share time with Deputies Griffin and Buttimer.

Photo of Peter MathewsPeter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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That is agreed.

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome this opportunity to say a few words on this Bill and to keep key an eye on my constituency colleague from Meath West opposite and monitor the telephone calls he has received. I must take a note of the number he received. I was lucky in that I grew up beside a Gaeltacht near Baile Ghib and I live quite close to Ráth Cairn but I was not lucky enough to be part of a Gaeltacht. That is probably my fault; it is the way life worked out. I did not have a chance to live in a Gaeltacht and engage with the language and culture of one. That is something one regrets as one gets older. I was taught Irish at all levels in school but I did not learn to speak it well. I could write Irish till the cows come home and I had no problem writing essays in Irish but I missed out on speaking it. I was one of those who did not love the language when I was at school and felt it was almost a burden to have to study it. Although I did not have a problem learning it, I missed out on the opportunity to speak it more.

When the Taoiseach sought to have a debate on the amount of spoken Irish in which we engage, I was disappointed that was seen as an attack on the language, which it was not. The opposite was the case. I understood where he was coming from on that. I am glad the Minister of State likewise understands that there is a necessity to develop the spoken language and not to take for granted what happens to Gaeltacht areas. Other stories will back that up. That was a missed opportunity to have a good debate on how we could have more people speaking Irish, rather than only writing it or letting it slip on leaving school. When I was in school - which is a number of years ago now; I must be getting old - learning Irish was a burden, but a few years after I left school, I regretted that I had not spoken and learned more Irish. When I was first elected to the Dáil, I and a number of Members attended an Irish class in the Houses to pick up the language again.

The future of the Irish language is an issue and the subject of an ongoing debate we must have. It is worrying to note from reports that there is a danger of the Irish language declining in Gaeltacht areas and that English is taking over in some areas. I compliment the Minister of State on getting this Bill through Government and the fact that we are debating it today. It will ensure that the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta is retained and refocused in its intentions and that it will home in on what it should be doing, which is to safeguard and develop the Irish language mainly in Gaeltacht areas, which is where it is spoken at its best, although in other areas the use of the language is improving. I always say in regard to business that one must protect the domestic market as best one can before developing outside markets. The focus may have been taken off the Gaeltacht over the years and it was assumed the development of the language there was becoming stronger. These reports show that the decline of the language there is an issue and I am glad we have a Minister who can react to and understand that and who is doing the right job in that respect.

I welcome this Bill and the changes it will bring with it. I might not agree with every aspect of it but that is what the debate on it is all about. I support the focus of the Bill, which is on securing and developing the language mainly in Gaeltacht areas, and the process that it will go through. There are a couple of main areas. The Bill has two main aims, namely, to provide for a statutory language planning process to support the Irish language both within the Gaeltacht and nationwide, and to provide for changes to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. I will speak briefly on those points.

I welcome the local involvement in terms of the overall planning and that the various organisations will have to work with the local organisations to develop their plans. It is essential to have such community involvement and that it is not a top-down approach. I also welcome the introduction of the concept of Gaeltacht service towns, of which Athboy is one. Such towns deserve a focus and plan in order to increase the use of the Irish language. Athboy serves the Gaeltacht areas of Ráth Cairn and Baile Ghib. Much work is done which we cannot take for granted.

I wish to refer to the elections to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the composition of the board. My second election campaign was the Údarás election in 1999 to 2000. It was an interesting campaign which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Fine Gael candidate at the time was a girl called Mags Mulroe. She was aged 19 or 20 and she had a love of the Irish language. She did not live in a Gaeltacht but she lived in an area to which people from the west had moved and there was a love for the Irish language. She got involved in the campaign and had a great election. It was an eye-opener for me. This will be my first return to such a subject, on which I missed out due to not having Irish and not being able to use as much of it as I would have liked. I understand the importance of those elections but I also understand that one does not have to hold elections to get the right board and to get the board that will make the right decisions to protect the language and develop Gaeltacht areas as well. At a time of scarce resources and when the money available to the Minister has been reduced to such an extent I can understand the logic in not holding elections, using the money elsewhere and spending it more wisely. I am in agreement with that. The local county councils will still provide a democratic system.

I spoke at length to the Minister about the right to an automatic nominee to the board for smaller Gaeltacht areas, which covers Meath County Council, Cork and Waterford. I am disappointed with the change but I know the Minister is examining the matter and I hope we can find a way to proceed. I understand the logic of having a smaller board to save resources and because it is proving to be more effective. The issue is not the number of members on the board; what is important is the quality of the membership. I hope we can find a solution but it is important that all Gaeltacht areas are represented through their county councils. I accept that is the case but my concern relates to the automatic right to a permanent nominee. We must build on the process to ensure we get it right and that all Gaeltacht areas are represented. It is important that people in all the areas can have an influence. That is a key issue. There are problems of language decline in Gaeltacht areas and I hope we can stem the tide following the introduction of the legislation and with the help of the resources the Minister of State has secured to develop the language. We will work together on it. I look forward to the debate in the coming week.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Tá mé buíoch go bhfuil deis agam labhairt ar an mBille seo. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall labhairt as Gaeilge. Nuair a thosaigh mé i gcúrsaí polaitíochta deich mbliana ó shin, ní raibh a lán Gaeilge agam. Bhí dearmad déanta agam ar an méid Gaeilge a d'fhoglaim mé ar scoil. Cosúil leis an Teachta English, níor thug mé go leor aird don teanga nuair a bhí mé ar scoil. Bhí brón orm nuair a d'fhág mé an scoil. Thar na blianta, d'oibrigh mé ar chúrsaí polaitíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus tháinig mo chuid Gaeilge ar ais. Bhí seans agam í a chleachtadh agus a fheabhsú ag clinicí, srl. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall inniu. Gabhaim leithscéal más rud é go bhfuil mo chuid gramadaí bocht.

Cuirim fáilte mhór roimh an reachtaíocht seo. Tá a lán oibre déanta ag an Aire Stáit agus oifigigh a Roinne chun an Bille seo a ullmhú. Tá mé sásta go bhfuil sé os comhair an Tí inniu. Mar Theachta ó Chontae Chiarraí, agus go háirithe mar dhuine ó Leithinis Chorca Dhuibhne, tá cúrsaí Gaeltachta an-tábhachtach dom. Is iomaí cuairt ar Chontae Chiarraí atá déanta ag an Aire Stáit ó ghlac sé freagracht don Ghaeltacht an bhliain seo caite. Gabhaim buíochas leis ina dtaobh sin. Tá sé an-tábhachtach do mhuintir na háite go dtéann an Aire Stáit ann go minic. Tá sé i gcónaí oscailte chun buaileadh le grúpaí agus daoine éagsúla. Tá sé sin an-tábhachtach do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. Cuirfimid fáilte roimhe am ar bith gur mhian leis filleadh ar Chontae Chiarraí. Mar a dúirt mé, tá an pobal áitiúil fíor-bhuíoch as an méid atá déanta aige go dtí seo.

Tá seans againn ár dteanga náisiúnta a shábháil. Tá mé dóchasach go mbeidh todhchaí ag an teanga mar thoradh ar an mBille tábhachtach seo. Caithfimid go léir obair le chéile chun é sin a chinntiú. Ba mhaith liom cúpla a rá faoin nGaeilge inár scoileanna. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeadh níos mó béime ar an mbéaloideas sa chóras oideachais. Nuair a bhí mé i mo rang scoile, ní raibh suim mhór agam sa Ghaeilge. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeadh scoláirí ann an teanga a labhairt nuair a fhágann siad an scoil. Tá mé dóchasach go mbeidh daoine óga na linne seo in ann ár dteanga a labhairt, tar éis í a fhoghlaim ar feadh 14 bliana, nuair a fhágann siad an scoil sa todhchaí. Bheadh sé sin mar phíosa mór don réiteach ar an fhadhb seo agus cabhródh sé linn an Ghaeilge a shábháil. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil fíor-ghrá ag an Aire Stáit don teanga. Tá sé ag obair go crua. Tá a dhícheall á dhéanamh aige. Cabhróidh mé leis mar Theachta. Tá mé dóchasach go ndéanfaimid dul chun cinn de bharr an iarracht seo.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Tá áthas orm cúpla focal a rá ar an reachtaíocht seo. Cosúil leis an Teachta Griffin, tá brón orm a rá nach bhfuil go leor cleachtadh déanta agam ar mo chuid Gaeilge. Cuirim fáilte roimh fhoilsiú an Bhille seo, atá tábhachtach do mhuintir na Gaeltachta, don teanga agus don chomhphobal. Léiríonn rath an fheachtais gaelscolaíochta dúinn go bhfásfaidh agus go bhforbróidh an teanga má chuirimid plean ceart agus cuí i bhfeidhm. Tá mo neachtanna ag labhairt na Gaeilge agus iad ag freastal ar ghaelscoil. Tá mé an-bhródúil as an gaelscoil i Wilton i gcathair Chorcaí. Cuireann an scoil úsáid na teanga chun cinn agus síolraíonn grá don teanga as a gcuid iarrachtaí. Mar sin, is maith an rud é go mbeidh bailte seirbhíse Gaeltachta againn. Is beag an difríocht idir an teanga agus oidhreacht na bailte fearainn agus na bailte móra. Chuala mé an tAire Stáit ar an raidió le Pat Kenny Dé Chéadaoin seo caite. Labhair sé faoi chuairt a thug sé ar scoil atá lonnaithe í gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath, áit ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar rogha na dtuismitheoirí agus rogha na ndaltaí. Tá an paisean, an díograis agus an fuinneamh ag an Aire Stáit chun slánú na Gaeltachta a chinntiú ionas go dtiocfaidh ár dteanga faoi bhláth. Tá daoine i gCorcaigh buartha faoin gcóras toghcháin agus an féídireacht go gcaillfí toscaireacht, áfach. Glacaim leis nach mbíonn na hábhair seo furasta riamh.

I support the Minister of State as he presents this Bill to the House. Although I have a great interest in the language, I have allowed my use of it to slip. As somebody with a sister who teaches trí Ghaeilge in Coláiste Choilm and who has two nieces who love the language attending a gaelscoil, and as a lover of the language myself, I must agree with Deputy Creed, who using a great phrase, referred to the "linguistic imperialism" of many associated with the Irish language. Those of us who should not have let the language slip, but who have made and make an effort, sometimes felt we were on a different planet and that our voices were not heard. In light of this legislation, it is important that, based on the 20-year strategy outlined by the Government on coming into office, we consider how we can improve the Gaeltacht regions, the teaching of Irish and the use of the language. As one, perhaps in a minority, who was happy to study and loved studying Peig, Bullaí Mhártain and Fios Feasa, I believe linguistic imperialism has caused our language not to flourish and created a barrier.

We have noted the growth of the gaelscoil movement and how we have changed the curriculum in primary schools. As the Minister of State said on "Today with Pat Kenny" some days ago, there are now gaelscoileanna in the middle of the capital city and the city of Cork. Consequently, young people who do not have the cultural ethos of many of us are speaking Gaeilge and ag súgradh trí Ghaeilge gach lá. This is to be welcomed. It is a matter of changing the mindset regarding the creation of the Gaeltacht and the definition of the Gaeltacht.

Deputy McGrath spoke about twinning and the Minister of State concurred with him. I would love to see an extension in respect of the Gaeltacht regions and service towns. Perhaps we should consider urban areas such as Baile an Easpaig, where there is a gaelscoil in Wilton, or parts of Dublin such as Ballymun with a view to creating linkages so they, too, can become Gaeltacht service towns.

In my cúpla focal as Gaeilge, I expressed concerns raised in Cork regarding the Gaeltacht regions in the county. Mr. Mick Scannell, a very strong, proud advocate of the Gaeltacht, is the type of ambassador we should allow to continue on the board. I do not have a hang-up about the elections. If one examines the excellent publication we received on the Bill from the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, one will note a very strong piece therein regarding analysis carried out carried out as a consequence of the publication of the Stráitéis 20 Bliain. People were unhappy with the board and were concerned about parochialism. They alleged the board was controlled by political parties and said it might not have been representative of community organisations. They spoke of the weakness of the board, its failure to consult and its constitution.

We received an e-mail this morning from Conradh na Gaeilge asking us to speak about various matters. Let us consider the family language support programme introduced this year. Members and others should be aware-----

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Only 18 people have availed of it.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is a question of changing the mindset. I return to Deputy Creed's comment on imperialism, which ought to be remembered. Deputy Peadar Tóibín is against imperialism.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Of course.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Irish is our language. It is a question of creating an awareness campaign, going to Bishopstown, Navan, Killarney, Macroom-----

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Not with empty platitudes.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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If I were using empty platitudes, I would not be in this House speaking today; I would be at home in Cork. I love my language and want to see it flourish, as do my colleagues.

I know of teachers who are visiting Irish summer camps this week in Cork city and various other parts of the country. They involve young people ag súgradh agus ag caint trí Ghaeilge agus ag foghlaim Gaeilge in the middle of urban areas. This did not happen when I was in school, nor did it happen ten years ago.

The parents and those who educate and lead must be brought with us. We cannot divide and conquer. Deputy Peadar Tóibín may sigh all he wants but his platitudes do not work and have not worked.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Every Irish language group is against this Bill.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Would the Deputy mind not interrupting?

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am in favour not of the traditional Sinn Féin divide-and-conquer approach but of what the Minister of State is doing. I want to bring people together, le chéile, so we can have a language that is spoken and lived and in respect of which there is no differentiation. Nobody would scorn me today, as Deputy Tóibín has done, for entering the House to speak in support of Irish.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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I poured scorn on the family package.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish I could come in here and speak trí Ghaeilge for my whole ten minutes but I cannot do so. However, I hope I will be able to do so in time. It is incumbent on all of us to allow the language to flourish and develop. The gaelscoil movement has shown that the kinds of people who did not traditionally have Irish could take it on and learn it. We must inculcate a love of the language. This starts with us, not with the devolution of power to a chosen few. It must begin with all of us, and that is why this Bill is important. Perhaps on Committee Stage or other Stages, the Minister of State will consult again and listen. He has listened already, however; he has travelled the country to do so. He has no vested interest. I have known him only for the past few years. When I was in the Seanad, he asked me to try to speak as Gaeilge. He did not dismiss me and that is why I want to see our language thrive.

As a former múinteoir scoile, I believe there is something fundamentally wrong if Irish students, on leaving school at 18 or 19, can speak better French and German than Irish. We must change that.

3:00 pm

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Ar dtúis, tugaim buíochas dos na Teachtaí go léir a tháinig isteach anseo inné agus inniu agus a labhair maidir leis an mBille. Aithním an dúthracht agus an dáiríreacht a bhí ins an méid a dúirt siad. Níl mé ag déanamh difir idir thaobh amháin den Teach agus an taobh eile de nó idir pháirtithe. Tháinig Teachtaí isteach agus dúirt siad amach ona gcroíthe, chomh soiléir agus chomh hionraic agus is féidir leo, an rud a shíleann siad féin ba chóir a dhéanamh. Cé acu a labhair siad i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla ní chuireann sé isteach ormsa ar chor ar bith. Tuigim go bhfuil daoine nach bhfuil cumas Gaeilge acu. Chuir an Teachta Buttimer a mhéar ar rud éigin an-thábhachtach, agus is fear é a bhfuil oideachas air agus Gaeilge aige ach, mar a dúirt sé féin, d'fhéadfadh sé a bheith níos fearr. Tá daoine eile a chuaigh tríd an chóras oideachais agus nach féidir leo Gaeilge a labhairt. Is comhartha é sin ar an teip atá ins an choras athbheochana ó bunaíodh an Stát. Dá n-éireofaí leis an chóras athbheochana ó bunaíodh an Stát ní bheinnse istigh anseo inniu mar Aire Stáit ag iarraidh Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm fá choinne an bheagán cainteoirí dúchais atá ins an Ghaeltacht a choinneáil ansin agus cur leo. Ach cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine a labhair. Tháinig 20 Teachta ar fad, idir inné agus inniu, chun labhartha. Tá Teachtaí anseo a d'fhéadfadh a bheith sa bhaile i gContae na Mí, i gContae Chiarraí, i gContae Chorcaí ag amharc i ndiaidh a ndáilcheantair ach tá siad sásta fanacht anseo mar go bhfuil suim acu ins an ábhar seo agus ins an Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil rud éigin le rá acu. Mar sin, tugaim míle buíochas dóibh. Bhí an méid a bhí le rá siosmaideach agus ní raibh éinne ag iarraidh an cluiche polaitíochta a imirt. Bhí gach duine ag imirt an chluiche teanga.

Since I was appointed Minister of State I have travelled the country. Chuaigh mé go dtí na ceantair Gaeltachta ar fad agus chuaigh mé go dtí na ceantair nach bhfuil ins an Ghaeltacht. An rud a chuaigh ina luí orm níos mó ná aon rud eile, and I am not talking about the Gaeltacht as such, is the great sense of goodwill, support, sympathy and understanding that is in these areas for the Irish language.

Moreover, I have been around here for long enough to realise this was not the case 20 or 30 years ago but that things have changed. Perhaps it is because we now are members of the European Union, in which people hear other languages. I believe there now exists a recognition that we have something special that we wish to maintain and hand on to the next generation. Were I to introduce a Bill in this Chamber to abolish Irish altogether, I am unsure what would be the response. It might be more positive than the response I will receive on foot of this strategy. As I mentioned previously, I visited Clondalkin last Tuesday week, to name but one area. Similarly, I visited County Clare some weeks ago and Bantry some weeks before that. These are places which lie outside the Gaeltacht and I was really encouraged to see what is going on in such areas. There is a community in Clondalkin, encompassing Áras Chronáin, to which hundreds come every day and in which everything is done through the medium of Irish. No one ordered them to do it and no Government edict asked them to do it but it simply has come from the people themselves. In addition, there are a number of schools there, both primary and post-primary, in which the medium is Irish. It is highly encouraging for someone like me, who comes from a Gaeltacht area, to see 1,200 pupils in an area outside the Gaeltacht pursuing their primary and post-primary education through the medium of Irish. I met one such person today who works for a newspaper and who conducted an interview through the medium of Irish although he was not from the Gaeltacht. This is what one wishes for and that is the kind of enthusiasm and support I wish to harness when implementing this 20-year strategy. It is not directed towards the Gaeltacht alone but also towards the non-Gaeltacht areas. As I stated earlier, I visited Bantry a number of weeks ago, where I had the honour and privilege of gaelscoil a oscailt go hoifigiúil. Ní baile Gaeltachta é Bantry ach tá scoil an-deas ann. It is a state-of-the-art school with approximately 200 pupils from the age of four up to 12 and the Irish language is natural to them. Although they do not live in the Gaeltacht, their parents decided this was the way their children should be taught, namely, through the medium of Irish. Moreover, having gone through that educational system, which only encompasses the primary sector, they will be fluent in Irish. This is going on in many parts of the country. I mentioned one school in Bantry but there is not a city or county in Ireland that has not one gaelscoil or more. I see great signs of encouragement outside Gaeltacht areas.

An príomh rud a bhí sa straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge ná go gcaithfimid pleanáil teanga a chur i bhfeidhm. We can talk about rudaí atá ag teacht isteach ach is é an príomh rud atá sa straitéis, chomh fada agus a bhaineann sé leis an Ghaeltacht, ná ceantair pleanála teanga a chur ar bun. Is é an príomh rud atá sa Bhille go mbeidh 19 gceantar pleanála teanga ar fud na Gaeltachta agus go mbeidh sé de fhreagracht ar Údarás na Gaeltachta cuidiú leis na pobail ansin plean teanga a ullmhú agus spriocanna, cuspóirí agus aidhmeanna a leagan síos. Caithfidh siad a bheith inghlactha ag an Roinn. Beidh comhairle agus cuidiú agus tacaíocht le fáil ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, a bhfuil eolas 30 bliain aige ar chúrsaí Gaeltachta. Beidh cuidiú agus tacaíocht le fáil ón Roinn agus ó oifigigh na Roinne, atá ag déileáil le cúrsaí Gaeltachta le 57 bliana. Beimid ag iarraidh ar an phobal ceannaireacht agus úinéireacht a ghlacadh ar na pleananna.

The plans will be theirs, and the Government will give them every assistance and help. I acknowledge the situation is critical, in that between 96,000 and 97,000 people live in Gaeltacht areas, of whom 23,000 or one in four speak Irish every day. If this is allowed to continue, we will be in serious trouble, as the suirbhé teanga or linguistic survey has indicated, within 15 to 20 years. When I came into office, I told myself this problem must be addressed.

I acknowledge the work of the officials in my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta and of everyone else who has been of assistance in bringing this Bill before the House. The Bill is crucial and will have serious implications for the language in the Gaeltacht areas and the country in the years ahead.

Mention has been made of acmhainní, or resources. Tá acmhainní teoranta againn. Luaigh Teachtaí James Healy, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, Clare Daly, Dara Calleary, Éamon Ó Cuív, Joe Higgins, Peadar Tóibín agus eile na hacmhainní. Tá acmhainní an-thábhachtach. Dúirt mise an rud céanna nuair a bhí mé ar an taobh eile den Teach. Tá géarchéim eacnamaíochta ins an tír agus caithfimid gníomhú taobh istigh des na hacmhainní atá againn. I mbliana, tá €60 milliún curtha ar fáil ar mhaithe le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge. I reiterate that €60 million has been made available this year for the promotion of Irish, both within and outside the Gaeltacht. Moreover, this excludes €500 million I understand is provided by the Department of Education and Skills to promote Irish in the education system.

Tá TG4, teilifís na Gaeilge, agus na tréimhseachán againn. Sin an-chuid airgid. Bhí comhráití agamsa le príomhfheidhmeannach Údarás na Gaeltachta inniu. Tá an t-údarás ag glacadh an dúshláin.

The údarás is delighted it now has a challenge to go out among the people and communities of the Gaeltacht. It considers that with the limited resources available, it will be able to make a significant impact with these schemes. I have been assured and reassured that with the limited resources available, as long as they are spent in the right way, there will be a return on these resources that will be of benefit to the language in the Gaeltacht areas.

An dara rud ná Údarás na Gaeltachta agus daonlathas.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Cúig nóimead.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Mheas mé go raibh chuig 3.30 p.m. agam. I understood that I had until 3.30 p.m.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Fifteen minutes.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Níor thuig mé é sin. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ná bímís ag cuimhniú ar an údarás atá imithe. We are in a different country. Tá an t-údarás úr ag teacht isteach. Is é an rud atá mise ag iarraidh ins an údarás úr, saineolas agus raon don daonlathas. I seek saineolas or expertise in language planning and in both language and industrial promotion, as the authority has an industrial remit. I assure Deputy Creed, who spoke in this regard, that an industrial remit will be retained. Moreover, there will be a democratic input, as five representatives will come from the different Gaeltacht areas. Hopefully, when a fully formed board of 12 members has been put in place, no Gaeltacht will be left without some form of representation. However, those who are appointed to the board will not be appointed to look after their own little patch or parish. I seek people with wider horizons and a wider outlook on the issue, whose purpose is to save the language in the Gaeltacht. The new priority of Údarás na Gaeltachta will be an teanga a shábháil. Tá rudaí fiontraíochta go maith ach an teanga a shábháil. Sin an fáth go bhfuil fonn ormsa go mbeidh na scileanna seo ag na daoine a bheidh ar an bhord.

Public advertisements will be placed in publicjobs.ie asking people with qualifications in language planning and linguistics, as well as academics and industrialists, to send in their curricula vitae if they think they can meet the requirements for these positions. The process will be open and transparent and this is the kind of údarás to which I look forward over the next five years. Incidentally, the new chairman, who will be appointed by the Government, will appear before the committee and will explain to the people and the members of that committee what his or her aims will be and the reason he or she should be qualified to be the Chairman. This is a new departure. People assert it will be political because the Government will make these appointments. However, it could not be more political than the outgoing údarás. I have nothing against politics, as all Members are politicians after all. Similarly, many county councillors are on the údarás and while there is nothing wrong with county councillors, I seek the kind of mix to which I referred earlier. Incidentally, for the first 20 years of Údarás na Gaeltachta, people were elected. What happened at the last election? There was a political tag put on every candidate. Some were for Sinn Féin, some for Fianna Fáil, some for the Labour Party, some for Fine Gael and some were non-party but they were well and truly tagged and now people want to take politics out of the údarás. All I can say is that I hope the next údarás will not be as political as the outgoing údarás. I hope that satisfies the Deputy.

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State is removing the voters from the system. Ní bheidh vótóirí in ann daoine a thoghadh.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Beidh siad. Beidh sé indíreach, beidh na vótóirí ábalta comhairleoirí contae a thoghadh agus ansin beidh na comhairleoirí ábalta iad a ainmniú, mar a dhéanann siad leis na coistí gairmoideachais agus leis na boird sláinte agus le Seanad Éireann. County councils elect people to the Seanad. I was never going to say the Seanad is not democratic, and I do not think any Senator would say it.

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Neither would Sinn Féin.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Does Sinn Féin have anyone in the Seanad? It does of course, how could I forget Senator Ó Clochartaigh and all the difficulties he caused me last week? He was democratically elected. Is Deputy Tóibín telling me if we elect members to Údarás na Gaeltachta they are not democratically elected? Hopefully they will be from the Gaeltacht and, if they are not, it is specifically stated in the Bill that they must be able to carry out the work of the new údarás i nGaeilge.

I do not want to be confrontational: I do not want to be critical. I have been here for more than 30 years and I have been given this opportunity to do something to save the Irish language. That is my remit now.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Maith an fear.

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I have no bone to pick with any Deputy, I appreciate all they have said. I thank Deputies for their contributions. They have all been positive and we all want to achieve the same objective. I do not want to leave this House or this world without any Gaeltachtaí. I want to turn the tide and this is the way we can do it. I am implementing the most important aspect of the survey of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht - the language planning areas. Outside the Gaeltachtaí, I want to look after those communities that have decided of their own free will that they want to have their children educated through Irish: we want to offer them every support. We will have the údarás on the one hand, the foras on the other and all of us working together. It is a new departure.

Tá mé anseo le beagnach 30 bliain, over 30 years. For most of the Gaeltacht or language legislation that went through this House, I was on the Opposition benches. I have spent 90% of my time over there and we never divided on the language. We always supported the Government of the day. Thug mé tacaíocht don Teachta Ó Cuív le Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus leis an Ghaeilge mar theanga oibre ag leibhéal na hEorpa. There were two areas where the House never divided: the Irish language and the national question. We always thought the Irish language was above politics and we do not divide on it. I hope the Opposition will come with me on this expedition to try to save the Gaeltacht and the Irish language.

Question put.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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In accordance with the Order of the Dáil yesterday, the division is postponed until immediately after the Order of Business on Tuesday, 17 July 2012.

The Dáil adjourned at 3.15 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 July 2012.