Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

B'fhéidir go mbeadh an Ceannaire in ann cuireadh a thabhairt don Aire, an Teachta Éamon Ó Cuív, teacht isteach anseo roimh deireadh na bliana chun stádas na Gaeilge — ní hamháin sa tír seo, ach san Eoraip freisin — a phlé. Mar is eol dúinn go léir, tá reachtaíocht nua ann anois atá thar a bheith ilghabhálach. Tá an-chuid rudaí ansin gur chóir dúinn a phlé. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil cuid dóibh pléite ag coistí an Oireachtais cheana. Ba chóir dúinn nithe den tsórt seo a phlé sa Teach seo go rialta. Tugaim faoi ndeara go bhfuil dea-thoil ann don Ghaeilge sa Teach seo, agus i dTeach Laighean i gcoitinne. Tá mórán daoine ag úsáid na Gaeilge, go mórmhór i gcúrsaí comhrá. Ba mhór an trua é muna mbeadh sé sin aitheanta againn. Ba chóir dúinn chur leis freisin.

Perhaps the Leader will invite the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, to the House. There are many issues on which I wish to hear the Minister's opinion, particularly in regard to the language Act and what success has been achieved and, second, in regard to official working status for the Irish language in the European Union. These are major issues. We were delighted with the progress that was made at first but I believe we should have an ongoing monitoring role of that progress. Perhaps the Leader will be able to accommodate this request before the end of the session.