Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Aontaím leis an Seanadóir Ó Tuathail maidir leis an nuachtán Foinse. Tá an-díomá orm go bhfuil an nuachtán sin i mbaol. Níl aon amhras faoi ach gur dhein sé sár obair. An príomh buntáiste a bhain leis an nuachtán ná chuir sé ar fáil téarmaíocht nua-aimseartha, rud a bhí ag teastáil uainn go léir. Gan sin ar fáil dúinn, ní bheidh muid in ann forbairt a dhéanamh ar ár chuid Gaeilge. Tá súíil agam go mbeidh Foras na Gaeilge nó an Rialtas in ann teacht i gcabhair ar an nuachtán.

Bíonn muid i gcónaí ag maíomh mar gheall ar TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Gaelscolaíocht agus mar sin de. Tá, dar ndóigh, obair íontach ar siúl acu go léir, ach tá géarghá leis an nuachtán Foinse. Tabharfar go mór in easnamh é sna siopaí. Cheannaíos féin é agus bhí sé go maith ó thaobh nuacht a chur chun tosaigh. Mar aon leis an Seanadóir Ó Tuathail, ní dóigh liom gur tháinig mé féin as go ró-mhaith. Sin mar a tharlaíonn leis na meáin cumarsáide, ach níl aon amhras faoi go bhfuil géarghá leis an nuachtán. Má leanann cúrsaí ar aghaidh go ró-fhada, ní bheidh aon seans é a chur i gcló arís. Tá súil agam mar sin go dtarlóidh rud éigin an-tapaidh ar fad.

I join other speakers in complimenting and congratulating the Members of this House who put their names forward for election. It is particularly important that we recognise anyone who is prepared to put his or her name on a ballot paper. I monitored the efforts of the various candidates from this House and there is no doubt that they put in exceptionally good performances and they can feel extremely pleased with their achievements. I congratulate former Senator Alan Kelly on his magnificent achievement. I have no doubt that he will be an outstanding representative in Europe and I wish him well.

I also congratulate all those who succeeded in gaining election as councillors. However, let us spare a thought for those councillors who lost their seats. Many of these people were fine, spirited and generous public representatives who lost their seats as a result of a quirk of fate. I hope those individuals will continue to give service into the future.