Rónán Mullen (Independent)

The possibility of doing so should always be on the agenda. We live in hope. The issue at stake here is clear. Anything related to the Irish language raises profound sensitivities in many people and for good reason. Regardless of their level of competence in the language, many people very much cherish it and insist on it being shown respect. Respect for the language and the perception that there is respect for it is a critical part of promoting it.

Senators Cullinane and Byrne set out the constitutional issues very well. The significance of the place of Irish as the first language in the Constitution should give us the key to how to resolve this matter. When we deal with legislation we are dealing with the front of the national house. This is not simply a matter of the publication of different types of documents, annual reports and such like but the publication of national legislation. Anything that gives the impression that the Irish language is not de facto the first official language but some kind of an optional extra would be very much to be regretted.

Tá sé ráite ag Conradh na Gaeilge go bhfuil athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 geallta i gclár an Rialtais. Why not wait until the review of the Official Languages Act, on which people may be consulted, has been completed before introducing such a radical change? Chomh maith le sin, d'fhéadfaimís a rá go bhfuil sé íorónach go bhfuil an leasú seo sa dá theanga.

Normally we only receive amendments to legislation in the second language, namely, English, notwithstanding that the Bill will have already been published in the Irish language. The question arises as to whether it is possible to have legislation published bilingually in Irish and English at Bill stage. This would lessen any possible delays that may arise from the eventual translation of the legislation.

There are other ways of addressing this issue. There is a second Rannóg an Aistriúcháin. Surely if the two translation departments were re-organised, we would be able to ensure that, once passed, legislation would be published in both languages within an acceptable timeframe.

We also need to keep in mind the European context. It is ironic that having achieved status for Irish as an official language of the European Union, a measure is being proposed to downgrade its status in its usage in a legislative context and in the eyes of members of the public.

The Minister may choose to inform the House that certain mischief needs to be avoided and certain problems will arise if legislation is not available within a short period of being passed. If that is the case, will he consider introducing a note of exceptionality? If he really believes this subsection should not operate to prohibit the publication on the Internet of an Act of the Oireachtas in one official language, could he not provide for the publication of legislation in one official language only in exceptional cases? If he were to introduce such a notion, it would at least show that he does not consider it desirable that people would become casual about the Irish language.

The comments of Senators on the growing importance of the electronic media are especially significant. If the mentality on display here had prevailed in the past we would still have An Gúm but we would not have TG4. Books and the written word are important but, by heavens, the electronic word is extremely important. The late availability of published or past legislation in Irish in electronic format would send out an extraordinarily negative message. I ask the Minister to take into account the concerns expressed by Senators, including the suppressed concerns of Seanadóirí on his side of the House, and have them reflected in some form of change to what has been proposed.