Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Creid é nó ná creid, tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ag teannadh linn go tapa agus ba mhaith liom iarraidh ar an gCeannaire go mbeadh díospóireachtaí níos leithne againn, b'fhéidir, i mbliana maidir le cúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. The Leader is aware that Seachtain na Gaeilge is hurtling towards us at a considerable pace. I appreciate the efforts made in previous years to ensure we have a level of debate as Gaeilge in the House, and I ask that this year we broaden it so that it is not merely Irish language and Gaeltacht issues that are discussed. A number of Ministers are very proficient in the language, and perhaps we could have another debate as Gaeilge also. It would be very good for the promotion of the language, and Members of the House would be well able for such debates.

I was lucky enough to be in Brussels yesterday with a delegation of small fishermen from throughout the island of Ireland, at the behest of the Liadh Ní Riada, MEP, and Matt Carthy, MEP. It was a very interesting engagement on fisheries issues with officials from the Commission. Very harrowing personal stories were told about the difficulties of fishermen at present and the pressures they are under financially, socially and emotionally in trying to make ends meet. A very specific issue that it is important for us to discuss is the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. At present it is up to member states to debate what types of measure they will bring forward under the fund. Many of the measures would be able to alleviate difficulties in bringing younger people into the industry as well as dealing with safety issues, upgrading the fleet and other issues with regard to maintaining the rural communities in which the fishermen live. I call for a specific debate, not on broader fishing interests, but on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Minister's proposals in this regard, which must be tabled in the coming months to the Commission. It would be a very useful debate.