Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liomsa, cosúil le mo chomhgleacaithe, go háirithe an Seanadóir Ó Murchú, tacaíocht a thabhairt don mhéid atá ráite acu maidir le cheist na Gaeilge anseo i dTithe an Oireachtais. Tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh muid mar Baill den Oireachtas in ann an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus í a chur chun tosach. Tá súil agam gur féidir moltaí den chineál sin a fhorbairt agus deis a chur ar fáil do ghach duine an Ghaeilge a labhairt agus a chur in aithne do ghach duine sna Tithe seo.

A total of 108 workers working for Contact 4 in three centres in Gweedore, Achill and Dingle have lost their jobs. These workers were treated rudely and abominably by the management of that company, particularly the managing director. That companies should treat workers in such a manner is a disgrace. These workers were left without their salaries, which were due to them, and any outstanding pay last Friday. However, I acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the chief executive officer of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Pádraig Ó hAoláin, to assist the workers in every way possible. I call on the Leader to ensure that in future such companies or individuals associated with companies like Contact 4 are not given assistance by this State in any form or manner in establishing business opportunities without first addressing the negative legacy left in the three centres to which I referred.

I have made many calls in this House regarding our athletes who will take part in the Olympic Games in Beijing this year and who will represent us at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and the great opportunities for this island afforded by the 2012 games. I am disappointed with the work done by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in this regard.