Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Minister of State back to the House and sincerely apologise for delivering my speech in English as my Irish is not up to scratch. My tutor has also gone west. My tutor is my daughter and she has just completed her degree in journalism through Irish and is now undertaking a masters in léann na teanga. I know the caighdeán oifigiúil has been pertinent and I have heard a lot about it in the last weeks and months.

I completely agree with Senator Conway that we need a common standard and that the money is being wasted on translation while the language should be there as something we love. I would love to see money for such activities being channelled into courses or grants for those studying through the medium of Irish. There are some such grants but they have been cut back. Irish should be promoted. As a former teacher, I know there are students who love Irish who might not go to a gaelscoil. We must foster that love to encourage them to continue. Speaking to my daughter's friends, I know there are people who would have loved to have continued had there not been a lack of finances. If grants were available, they would pursue their career and develop their love of Irish.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh mentioned the importance of dialects and I agree with him, they are part of our culture and heritage. Not only do we have dialects in Irish, we have them in English as well. As a newly-appointed Senator, I found it very strange to listen to the dialects from all over the country, and sometimes having difficulty even understanding English.

I welcome the proposal that an caighdeán oifigiúil will be reviewed not less than every seven years, with the next review taking place in 2015. I was not aware the last one was published in 1958 and I feel 54 years is far too long an interval between reviews to keep the Irish language as up to date and relevant as possible. I also welcome the consultation between the Minister of State and the Minister for Education and Skills, as well as other interested members of the public. I ask the Minister of State to consider a closer and lengthier consultation period between the Department of Education and Skills and interested parties and the appointed committee as provisions will need to be made in course curricula and resources to allow for any changes or reviews to the previous caighdeán oifigiúil.

The Minister of State referred to external experts who can be consulted or appointed to the committee. Where will they come from? Will they be from An Coiste Téarmaíochta or lecturers from the main universities? Native Irish speakers of the main dialects should also be consulted during the review.

In view of the increased workload for Rannóg an Aistriúcháin, will there be more employment in the sector in the future?