Seanad debates

Thursday, 16 June 2005

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

It would be worthwhile for the House to give some consideration to discussing the early section of the Constitution, which determines the name of this country. I was reared in a house where it was thought to be demeaning for people of other countries, particularly our next door neighbours, to refer to us in English as Éire. Éamon de Valera when Taoiseach introduced a Constitution that outlines the name of this country as Éire as Gaeilge and Ireland in the English language. He ensured this was so in all activities of the State and that we were not referred to as Éire at all. Is this constitutional precedent being ignored? Is it constitutional that we are now changing the names of towns against the will of people who do not want them changed? This is a matter we must examine.

During the discussion with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, last night, he invited Senator Coghlan and I to table an amendment to the Official Languages Act 2003 to allow people to have a say in changing their areas' placenames. The Senator and I intend to do so shortly and look forward to the support of Members from all sides. Considering that the suggestion came from the Minister, although he said he would not table an amendment himself, I presume my colleagues on the Government side will be only too happy to offer support. It is quite ironic that the grandson of the Taoiseach who insisted we be bilingually named should now be ramming one language down people's throats.

As if this were not sufficiently unprecedented, in terms of how the House operates, I saw three distinct rules of procedure ignored last night when a Member demanded the Minister's speech before it was given to the Cathaoirleach.

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