Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Comhaltas does an excellent job and I resent being represented by anyone on the other side of the House as having an anti-Comhaltas position. That is not my viewpoint. However, I will not allow a Government to claim an increase for Gaeilge when it is being taken away and given to something else, no matter how good the recipient is. I would say the same if it were being taken away from Gaeilge and put into education. The issue is that the support for the Irish language programme which brings students to the Gaeltacht and supports them is being cut. The Government is performing a sleight of hand and it is wrong.

Tá an cinneadh seo míchothrom, uafásach agus, in a lán slite, scannalach. Tá na Gaeltachtaí ag brath ar chóras eacnamaíochta, nó geilleagar, an-bheag. Bainfidh an tarraingt siar seo na milliúin euro ós na Gaeltachtaí. It will have an onward impact on local jobs, fostaíocht sa Ghaeltacht, siopaí sa Ghaeltacht, transport sa Ghaeltacht and many other areas, apart from depriving students of a great experience. When that money is cut the airgead breise — the extra cost — will have to come from somewhere. The only place it can come from is those parents sending their children to the Gaeltacht. It is a wrong decision. Comhaltas is not to be blamed for it and has nothing to defend. I object to the Government decision to take €1.2 million from the Gaeltacht courses and that is the issue.