Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This has been a very interesting debate. I thank the contributors from all sides of the House. Each group except one was represented. I also commend the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, on her extremely comprehensive synopsis of what the Government is doing in every area, from the Revenue Commissioners and education to social welfare and the various pilot initiatives. They are all extremely welcome, but we are still a long way from utopia and from where we need to be in terms of equality of access to information for members of the deaf community.

I agree with the Minister that there is no point in having legislation that creates requirements that are of little, if any, benefit to members of the deaf community. We must have legislation that is targeted to ensure there is access to information that is used, in the first instance, and that will create and enrich the equality to which we all subscribe. I believe legislation can be tailored to ensure resources are not wasted, as they have been with some Irish publications. In the case of a county development plan, for example, the county council is legally required to translate it into Irish even if nobody buys it. We all believe in the equality of the Irish language, but that type of situation is bizarre. I believe members of the deaf community would not wish to see that happen but would wish to see resources channelled in the correct way.

The Minister had some positive news with regard to the theme of the meeting that is due to take place on 4 November. In addition, there will be the discourse surrounding Senator Daly's Bill when it is published. Furthermore, there is the module of the justice committee that will hopefully hold hearings after Christmas. It will seek submissions, and that will be followed, we hope, by hearings by the committee at which this issue can be discussed. Recommendations can then be sent to the Government.

Everybody agrees with the principle of equality in access to information, and I believe everybody agrees with recognition. However, how to go about securing that recognition is probably where the difficulties lie. For that reason we need communication and discussions, and we need to examine best practice.

If necessary, we need to establish best practice. We can do things better in this country. We led the way with the smoking ban. When he was Minister for Health, the Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, showed enormous courage by taking on the tobacco industry and introducing a smoking ban. This is a simple example of how we set best practice which is now replicated almost throughout the world, certainly in the developed world. We can lead the way with Irish Sign Language, ensuring that resources are properly spent and facilitate the kind of equality all of us, certainly the members of the deaf community, desire.

The initiatives outlined in detail by the Minister of State are very welcome. They will enrich people's lives but we need more of them. I am committed to the recognition of Irish Sign Language and I believe some sort of legislative form must be brought to this. That is what people in the deaf community expect and I completely understand their viewpoint. However, it must be done right, in a way that achieves what we want it to achieve. Like other speakers, I have seen many laws enacted in this country that are ineffective. There is no point in having a law that is ineffective; we need effective laws that will ensure young people in the deaf community have access to employment and education, culture and all other activities to which people have a legitimate expectation of access.

There is a job of work to be done. We have taken an extremely important step forward. It looks as if this motion will be agreed unanimously which sends a clear message to the Government that this issue, at least from the perspective of Seanad Éireann, is taken very seriously. It also sends the clear message to our colleagues in Dáil Éireann that Seanad Éireann is championing the recognition of Irish Sign Language and puts it up to that House to pass a similar motion. I encourage people in the Visitors' Gallery to start lobbying their TDs and get one of them to sponsor a motion similar to this in Dáil Éireann. If the move comes from both Houses of the Oireachtas it will definitely send the clear message to the Government that we want further action.

We are lucky that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is the person responsible in the Department because she is someone who gets things done. During my time in the House she has attended the Chamber probably more than any other Minister of State. When she speaks she does so honestly and when she acts she gets results. Members of the deaf community can rest assured they have a very good champion in this Minister of State.

I commend Dr. John Bosco Conoma who approached me about this issue in the first instance. I have had numerous discussions with him and have learned a lot about Irish Sign Language. I am glad Members of the House learned a great deal when they researched for tonight's motion and I hope this debate will have informed them further. We hope there are brighter days ahead in terms of the recognition of Irish Sign Language. I thank everybody who contributed. I am delighted the motion has received unanimous support from all sections of the House.