Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Aontaím go mbeadh sé cabhrach cuireadh a thabhairt don Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, Éamon Ó Cuív, teacht isteach agus cúrsaí Gaeilge a phlé linn. Tá an-chuid rudaí dearfacha ag tarlú i láthair na huaire agus ba chóir dúinn machnamh agus díospóireacht rialta a bheith againn maidir leis na rudaí sin.

It would be helpful to invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív, into the House to discuss aspects of the Irish language. So much is happening with regard to the language that we need an ongoing opportunity to debate the issue here. In my lifetime I have not seen so much official activity on the promotion of Irish, particularly in this House. We have a good record here and can take credit for much of the debate in the Oireachtas. I would not like to see a peripheral distraction introduced at this stage.

We all agree that the Irish language is very descriptive. Senator Norris used the word "lúdramán" and I cannot think of any word that is more descriptive. I was impressed by the manner in which the word flowed from the Senator's tongue, like honey from a hive.