Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

Rinne sé sin agus bhí an córas sin sa Dáil le blianta fada fosta. However, Councillor Ó Foighíl succeeded. I was glad because it is important that the Gaeltacht, a large part of which is in County Galway, is represented in that way. Native speakers are involved in local politics as well as national politics.

We should also bear in mind areas outside the Gaeltacht where there is great support for the Irish language. The gaelscoileanna movement has been particularly positive in that regard. I received a magazine from the CEO of the movement before Christmas. The magazine contains photographs and articles from many of the 180 all-Irish schools and colleges nationwide. It celebrates the growth of the all-Irish school movement over the past 30 years and includes contributions from President McAleese, singer Moya Brennan, actor Stephen Rea, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, gaelscoileanna president Dónal Ó hAiniféin and politicians whose families are involved in gaelscoileanna.

Before the last general election there was a strong campaign in the town of Ballinasloe to have the gaelscoil moved onto the Department's building programme and there was much criticism that an election pledge had been broken. Gaelscoil Uí Cheithearnaigh in Ballinasloe is now included in the 2004 building programme. That demonstrates the commitment of the Government to parents, teachers and students who are anxious to have a gaelscoil in their community.

Since my election to the Seanad, I have noticed a great deal more debate is conducted in the Irish language in this Chamber than in the Dáil. The Seanad has debated Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2002 and there have been debates on Irish culture, music and tradition in addition to this debate on the Irish language. Yesterday's foreign affairs committee meeting was attended by representatives of the British foreign affairs committee and I noticed that many of the members of the Oireachtas committee started their contributions in Irish by simply saying "céad míle fáilte" or one hundred thousand welcomes. However, I am from east Galway where one is given the fáilte Uí Cheallaigh, which is the most generous of welcomes. It has impoverished many members of the Kelly clan.