Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

Táimid ag caint inniu faoin straitéis tábhachtach seo, an straitéis 20 bliain, agus an straitéis trí bliana chun an obair a dhéanamh agus an straitéis a chur i bhfeidhm. Aithnítear go hidirnáisiúnta an fiúntas a bhaineann a bhaineann le héagsúlacht theangeolaíoch. Caithfear, mar sin, teangacha cosúil leis an nGaeilge a chosaint chun éagsúlacht cultúr a choinneáil ar fud an domhain. Sin a dhéanann an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge.

Tá an seanfhocal, "Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam" ar eolas ag gach duine agus is fíor é. Rinneadh mórán chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an straitéis le déanaí agus tá moladh tuillte ag an Aire Stáit. Cuirim fáilte roimhe chuige anseo inniu. Tá mórán ráite faoi agus tá moladh tuillte aige de bharr na ráitis a bheith anseo inniu agus de bharr an obair a dhéanamh agus an straitéis a chur chun cinn.

Is í aidhm an polasaí i leith na Gaeilge ná úsáid agus eolas ar an nGaeilge a mhéadú mar theanga phobail ar bhonn céimiúil agus is é príomh fócas na straitéise ná seasamh na Gaeilge sa chóras oideachais a neartú. Tá an-tábhacht leis an Ghaeilge mar theanga bheo a chur ar aghaidh laistigh den teaghlach agus idir na glúine. Tá a fhios againn go léir gurbh é an rud is tábhachtaí na ímplementation plan nó an tréimhse fheidhmiúcháin. Dúirt an Seanadóir Marie Louise O'Donnell níos luaithe: "Because we give something language does not mean it is going to happen." Is fíor sin. Cuirim fáilte lena bhfuil ráite ag an Aire Stáit: "Fágann na cinntí Rialtais seo go mbainfear leas as na struchtúir atá faoi láthair chun an straitéis a sheachadadh agus chun go mbeidh deighilt shoiléír idir na feidhmeanna atá ag na príomhpháirtithe leasmhara maidir le cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht." D'éist mé leis an Aire Stáit agus luaigh sé na grúpaí éagsúla atá bunaithe aige. Cuirim fíor fáilte rompu. Dúirt duine éigin go bhfuil an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna mar bhall de cheann de na grúpaí sin agus tá sin fíor tábhachtachh. Is í an straitéis fiche bliain an plean aislingeach do thodhchaí ár dteanga dhúchais agus tá sí lárnach le béim a chur ar chothú agus ar fhorbairt na teanga ar fud na tire. Ar ndóigh, tá an béim seo an-tábhachtach, mar tá sé riachtanach go bhfuil an teanga á fhorbairt thar theorainneacha tíreolaíochta traidisiúnta.

Níl an teanga agamsa ó dhúchas, mar is as an Galltacht mé agus athróidh mé go Béarla anois.

"The value of linguistic diversity is recognised internationally and safeguarding languages such as Irish is thus a crucial task in maintaining cultural diversity worldwide". That is part of the process of the strategy as outlined. The commitment of this and previous Governments to focus on changing the Irish curriculum in our schools is designed to ensure more emphasis will be placed on spoken Irish, as well as the written language. In 2010, 62% and 78%, respectively, of males and females who took the honours paper in the leaving certificate received a grade C. That is to be welcomed because it is a good grade. The Government proposes to allocate 50% of the overall marks to the oral exam in the leaving certificate, which I welcome as it is a good recommendation. The goal to double the number of speakers of the Irish language by 2018 is welcome.

Labhair duine éigin faoin syllabus atá ann faoi láthair. The proposed two strand approach to the teaching of the Irish language is good and this can be done by creating two subjects out of the current syllabus - the Irish language and Irish literature and culture. This proposal is included in the programme for Government and I would like to see it implemented.

Maidir leis na múinteoirí, is maith an moladh é iad a chur chuig na Gaeltachtaí chun cuid dá gcuid traenála a dhéanamh ansin. Molaim sin. Tá a lán ráite faoi na gaelscoileanna agus chonaic mé an tAire Oideachas agus Scileanna anseo cúpla nóiméad ó shin.

We have seen an upsurge in the number of gaelscoileanna, which is most welcome in the promotion of the Irish language. However, there is a fear among a great many involved in gaelscoileanna about the proposed criteria to be met in setting up a school. While the proposals may be welcome in setting up primary schools to cater for diversity, Irish language bodies such as An Foras Pátrúnachta, Gaelscoileanna Teo, Conradh na Gaeilge and Guth na Gaeltachta have outlined the difficulties that will arise for minority schools such as gaelscoileanna if new schools are to be established on the basis of surveys and recommendations because the preference of the majority will be to attend an English speaking school. That aspect of the matter should be looked at again. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to include the position of the Irish language bodies which have spoken out in the foreward to his report on the Commission on School Accommodation in order that their position will not be under threat. The linguistic criterion and geographical location must be taken into account.

I support the proposed initiative on job creation and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá sé an tábhachtach go mbeidh jabanna sna Gaeltachtaí, mar is Gaeltacht marbh í Gaeltacht gan jabanna.