Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoin díospóireacht ar an Ghaeilge san Eoraip. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware, the ongoing debate on the status of the Irish language in the European Union was initiated in the Seanad by Senator Ó Murchú and others. If I recall correctly, the Leader made a commitment to pursue the matter. Not a day passes without the newspapers referring to the debate which is also taking place in the other House.

Those who oppose making the Irish language an official language of the European Union on the basis that it would not be practical should be aware that even now — the Cathaoirleach may be aware of this as a result of his participation in the Council of Europe — there is no practical barrier or objection to the Irish language being translated because a translator is not required during proceedings for each language. After accession, for example, 25 translators will not be required during proceedings. I understand the position to be that one interpreter interprets and his or her text is then copied by all the other interpreters. Those arguing that making Irish an official language would add to the burden of bureaucracy are not correct. There is no practical problem and I am now even more convinced that we should have the right to identify Gaeilge as an official language of the European Union.