Seanad debates

Thursday, 4 December 2008

12:00 pm

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

How do I follow that? Ar an gcéad dul síos, iarraim arís ar an gCeannaire díospóireacht a eagrú mar gheall ar deontas na gcoláistí samhraidh, atá á tharraingt siar ag an Rialtas. For the benefit of those Members who misunderstood the points made by Senator O'Toole and me yesterday, I call for a debate on the Irish language, with particular reference to the removal by the Government of the grant to na coláistí samhraidh. This comes at a time when the Gaeltacht is under severe pressure. Tá muintir na Gaeltachta faoi bhrú. The withdrawal of this grant means that all children will not have an equal opportunity to go to the Gaeltacht. It may also cause hardship to families who have benefited from and grown dependent upon the income arising from the role of bean an tí.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has been wrongly brought into this debate. In fairness to Senator O'Toole, he did not criticise the grant to that organisation. What he said was that the Minister and the Department, as outlined by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, was allocated an increase of 62% in the Irish language fund, of which €3 million was given to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. This point was mischievously misrepresented by some Members to suggest we were critical of that organisation. It is wrong of Members on the Government side to lampoon those of us on this side of the House who have raised this valid point.

I beg the Cathaoirleach's indulgence to restate how important it is that we do not blame immigrants — the new members of our society — for the removal of cribs from shops and hospitals. No Irish person wants this; it is political correctness gone berserk. Let us celebrate and rejoice in Christianity and all other religions and creeds. We are entitled to religious expression of all denominations and the crib is central to that. I take this opportunity to criticise Dublin City Council for the monstrosity in O'Connell Street and the cost it incurred. It makes no sense.

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