Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Is mian liom tréaslú leis an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh maidir leis an méid atá ráite aige mar gheall ar an gCoimisinéir Teanga. Tá sé ceart go bhfuil práinn faoi leith ag baint leis an gceist seo. Ag cruinniú den choiste Oireachtais inné, socraíodh go ndéanfar plé ar an ábhar seo. Tá sé i gceist ag an gcoiste cuireadh a thabhairt don iar-Choimisinéir, agus b'fhéidir an Coimisinéir nua. Ba bhreá liom a fheiceáil go mbeadh rud éigin déanta faoi seo roimh na Nollag.

On another matter, might the Leader find us even one hour to discuss the excellent work being done by charities in this country?

The country has a very proud record when it comes to supporting charitable causes. The recent controversies in the charities sector have not helped. We do not have all of the facts and are not privy to them. The goalposts keep changing and there is sensationalism, but those who will suffer are those who need help and support. There is no doubt that there is a degree of confusion among the public. I am not asking for an hour to discuss the controversies; I am asking for an hour in order that we can speak about the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Simon and the hundreds of other charities beavering away every hour of the day to help people who cannot help themselves. Whatever stand we take as a result of the controversies, we should not punish those who need help and support. We have had great debates in the House, but at Christmas time I cannot think of anything more important than an opportunity to publicise the good work of charities, to put people's minds at ease and to ask them to continue the generosity evident in the country during the years. I am very emotional about this issue when I see people who need our help urgently and immediately. They are not part of the great debate or the controversies. All they want to do is live and survive with dignity. If the Leader can help us by providing an hour to give us a chance to help these charitable groups by acknowledging and endorsing their work, it would be good for us as a people. It would be right to do it in Seanad Éireann.