Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Cúpla mí ó shin, nuair a bhí muid ag plé Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus na deacrachtaí a bhaineann leis, I made a strong case about avoiding wastage of money. I was interested to see a story in The Sunday Tribune outlining the waste of money of publishing i nGaeilge at very significant cost, documents which are barely penetrable i mBéarla. I use the Irish language more than most people in these Houses but this is absolute tokenism and an insult to muintir na Gaeltachta. It is a hand-wringing exercise so the Government can say it is working for the Irish language. B'fhearr liom go dtiocfadh an tAire isteach sa Teach to explain to us how this money might be better invested in the education, housing, infrastructure and job creation for muintir na Gaeltachta so people can live their lives through the Irish language how they want to. B'fhearr liom go mbeadh tacaíocht ó acmhainní an Stáit do mhuintir na Gaeltachta. I said at the time gur mór an trua nach raibh na Gaeltachtaí agus muintir na nGaeltachtaí i gcroílár na reachtaíochta seo and I would prefer if we invested in those people. The Minister has simply rejected the accusation and I would like to give him the space, therefore, to explain where this money went and how it might be better used for bunadh na Gaeltachta. Senator McHugh and I raised this issue during the debate on many occasions and the Minister should return to the House to explain.

It was requested that the Taoiseach come into the House to discuss Aer Lingus but the Leader felt he would not come in. In light of his long discussion of the issue in the other House, he should be invited to outline his views here. He may take the opportunity, although if he does not, someone else should come in. People did not want to hear what he had to say yesterday so, whether we agree or disagree, let us hear him.

I live in the airport area among those who work for Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta. Their view is that there are thousands of people working in Aer Lingus, not just the three people who are in the news. They were prepared to be flexible and offer additional productivity, creating wealth in the industry, but they did not want to create wealth that would end up in the pockets of those who would sell off the airline. Would any of us be different? The people who work in Aer Lingus made it such a success and should enjoy the full support of Government and the unions.