Seanad debates

Thursday, 4 October 2007

11:00 am

Photo of Labhrás Ó MurchúLabhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Bhí suim agam sa mhéid a bhí le rá ag an tSeanadóir O'Toole faoi díospóireacht i dtaobh na ngaelscoileanna, go mórmhór stádas an Bhéarla iontu. Bhí mé ag éisteacht le hurlabhraí ó na gaelscoileanna ar an raidió agus chuaigh sí i bhfeidhm go mór orm. Thug sí le tuiscint nach raibh taighde ar bith déanta go proifisiúnta ar an gceist seo maidir le Béarla sna gaelscoileanna. Bheadh sé cabhrach dá mbeadh an tAire in ann teacht isteach leis an gceist seo a phlé.

This morning we held an all-party meeting with Mr. Leonard Orban, the European Commissioner for multilingualism. I found it an exceptionally good meeting. He gave us an undertaking that he would ensure the equality of the Irish language as a working language in Europe would be entertained. We had the opportunity to point out to him some positive promotion of Irish, including the new legislation on Irish, the official working status of Irish in Europe, Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4. One of the main items we were able to bring to his notice was that of the gaelscoileanna. There is no doubt that development which has come without any great official prompting was one of the reasons we all had new confidence in this regard.

I find the present debate a little disturbing because the people who headed up the gaelscoileanna were the pioneers at the time. It would be much better if the debate and the consultation took place in a more private setting rather than in public. We owe that to the gaelscoileanna. I listened to one of their spokespersons who made the point that as far as she knew, there was no professional or basic research done on the issue of an immersion system for Irish and bringing English into that situation. It would be most helpful if the Minister for Education and Science could come to the House and discuss that issue with Members because she is one of the great pioneers of the promotion of Irish. We all know of her great love for Irish and how supportive she is. I would prefer if the debate were taken from the airwaves and into this House where we would have the opportunity to discuss it.

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