James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit ar ais go dtí an Teach. Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit, leis an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill agus le muintir Thír Chonaill agus Dún na nGall agus leis an fhoireann peile ar fad. Bhí bua mór acu cúpla seachtain ó shin agus is dóigh liom go bhfuil na tinte chnámh fós ar lasadh ar na cnoic agus na sléibhte.

The Minister of State spoke about the importance of the Irish language in the Constitution and in its recognition by the European Union as an official language. While the Bill is short and technical, it addresses the issue that there must be one standard of Irish on which we can all agree. The standards for Irish have changed consistently since those who spoke the language first came to our shores. It is common for any spoken or modern language to go through a certain degree of change. I found the Minister of State's reference to the change in the typeface in the 1930s very interesting. The typeface at the time was very attractive and distinctive and I am sure its demise was lamented by many. I was not aware that change had happened in the 1930s. An uncle of mine has experience of that typeface, but I doubt he attended teacher training in the 1930s. If he did, he is a lot older than I thought.

With regard to the Bill, because of the infinite wisdom of the previous Government and the previous Minister, Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, the central translations unit was established. The Minister of State has explained why this was done and that it resulted in two units of the State being involved in the translation of legislation. Often, when two groups are moving in the same direction, they follow different signposts and arrive in different ways. What the Minister of State is attempting to do is right. He is trying to ensure everybody is on the one road and that people are not moving in different directions. I am sure the learned scholars, to whom Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill referred, who work in the central translations unit and on the steering committee do and have done good work, as the Minister of State has acknowledged.

I believe the report to which Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill referred is online, although I stand to be corrected on this. I gather from the Minister of State that he has given a commitment that the recommendations made by that group and the steering committee will not be swept under the carpet. He has given guarantees that the recommendations made by the expert group will be taken into consideration when An Caighdeán Oifigiúil is reviewed in three years time. That is welcome. However, as we have seen in the past, there is significant duplication in various Departments. Therefore, I am glad the Minister of State has taken the initiative, as we cannot have different groups doing the same job. That does not make sense in the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

I commend the Minister of State for bringing forward this legislation which we fully support.