Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Tá a fhios agam nach bhfuil mórán ama fágtha don díospóireacht seo, ach ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuilim i bhfábhar an leasaithe atá á phlé againn agus go n-aontaím go hiomlán leis an méid atá ráite ag na Seanadóirí eile. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go bhfuil athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla geallta i gclár an Rialtais. Mar sin, bheadh sé i bhfad níos fearr dá gcuirfeadh muid an t-alt seo ar ábhar na Gaeilge ar leataobh go dtí go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú sin críochnaithe. Tá an méid a bhí le rá ag an Taoiseach san olltoghchán sna bunscoileanna suimiúil freisin.

This is not an appropriate Bill for making such a significant amendment. It should be possible, when the Bill is being prepared, for both language versions to be done at the same time. There is a lead in time as the Bill goes through the House. All that would be required when the Bill is passed is for the amendments to be included and changes to be made in the text. I have difficulty in accepting this proposal, which I hope is not another part of a move to abandon compulsory Irish. I urge the Minister to take on board the good arguments that have been made by many speakers.