Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am moving an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that No. 1 should be taken with debate.

I appreciate the support I received yesterday when I raised the matter of Foinse. Ceapaim go bhfuil sé scannalach nach bhfuil tacaíocht ag teacht ón Rialtas chun acmhainní a chur ar fáil do Foinse. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach do shaol intleachtúil na tíre, go mórmhór ó thaobh Gaeilgeóirí agus Gaeltachtaí de. Mar a dúirt an Seanadóir Ó Murchú inné, tá an nuachtán thar a bheith tábhachtach freisin ó thaobh forbairt foclóireachta, maidir le cúrsaí reatha, srl. Ní féidir linn aon dul chun cinn a dhéanamh muna bhfuil Foinse á fhoilsiú sa tír seo. I gcónaí, nuair atá brú airgid ar an Stát, is iad muintir na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a fhulaingíonn i dtosach.

What is happening in respect of Foinse is disgraceful. Many fancy words are uttered in respect of the Irish language. I have often engaged in arguments with Senator Ó Murchú about approaches to and policy on the Irish language. It is utterly unacceptable not to have an Irish newspaper, particularly if attempts are being made to teach Irish or encourage people to use it in their daily lives. The Leader should raise this matter directly with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who is quick enough to argue with me about changing the name of my town and various of his other nonsensical proposals. This is a real issue and the Minister should become involved in dealing with it.