Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom aontú leis an méid a dúirt an Seanadóir Ó Murchú maidir le forbairt na Gaeilge. Déanann an Seanadóir sár-obair ar son chultúr na tíre. Ba chóir dúinn tacaíocht a thabhairt don Ghaeilge tríd an teanga a úsáid sa Teach go rialta. Aon uair a fhaighimid seans an Ghaeilge a úsáid, ba chóir dúinn é sin a dhéanamh. Is páirt d'oidhreacht na tíre í an Ghaeilge. Tá an teanga thar a bheith tábhachtach. As Senator Ó Murchú has noted, we should support the Irish language as part of our heritage, particularly as we approach St. Patrick's Day. It is important that we instil a proper sense of patriotism in people and the Irish language is the key to much of our literary and traditional riches.

I strongly support the proposition that our Ministers should travel abroad to represent the country on St. Patrick's Day. However, they should not be accompanied by a phalanx of advisers and civil servants. The delegations should be lean and effective and their members should travel in economy class and stay in acceptable hotels. There is no need for extravagance and hard pressed taxpayers need to see a willingness on the part of Ministers to be patriotic and to do what is right for the country. I ask the Leader to commend my suggestion to the Government.