Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Senator Norris has made a telling and focused contribution today. Those of us who are familiar with his work in this Chamber know the courage he has demonstrated on so many occasions. He has given a voice to people who had no voice and has always been consistent on issues of human rights, privacy and so on. As such, his concerns should be taken seriously in respect of his submission to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. In the long run he is doing a favour not only to this House, but also to journalism, which we all respect, and the freedom of the media. I hope the Leader will take his concerns on board.

On another issue, faoi mar is eol dúinn go léir, tá sé i gceist Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga a dhúnadh mar oifig reachtúil agus neamhspleách. Feictear é seo mar chúlú ó thaobh na Gaeilge de agus is droch chomhartha é maidir le Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge.

Ag féachaint siar ar na blianta, cuid des na deacrachtaí is mó a bhí ann, ó thaobh cur chun cinn na Gaeilge de, ná nach raibh seirbhísí ar gcur ar fáil tré Ghaeilge nuair a bhí siad ag teastáil. Anois, tá Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ann, ina luaitear gníomharthaí a bhfuil orthu seirbhís dátheangach a thabhairt. Tá ath-bhreithniú á dheánamh ar an Acht sin i láthair na huaire. Bhí an Coimisinéar Teanga lárnach don obair sin agus is trua go mór go bhfuil sé i gceist deireadh a chur lena oifig, cé go mbeidh a chuid feidhmeanna ag dul isteach in Oifig an Ombudsman.

Tá súil agam, mar sin, go mbeidh an Rialtas sásta éisteacht agus ath-mhachnamh a dhéanamh air seo, because the Coimisinéir Teanga is absolutely central to the 20-year strategy and to the legislation which we passed in this House. I hope it is still possible, even at this stage, to defend its independence as a statutory body. There is unanimity on the Irish language in this Chamber and goodwill throughout the country. This issue will strike a chord with many people. I ask the Leader to take it on board. It is not too late. We must maintain the independence of that office.