Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Caithfear aghaidh a thabhairt ar an bhfadhb thromchúiseach seo agus céimeanna praicticiúla a ghlacadh chun an teanga a chosaint agus a bhuanú. Ní mór sin a dhéanamh go práinneach, ach cén chaoi? Sin an cheist. Creidim gur chóir dúinn é seo a phlé sa Teach seo ach tacaím go mór leis an éileamh a rinne Conradh na Gaeilge ar na mallaibh maidir le coiste seasmhach Oireachtais ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht. D'fhéadfadh an coiste sin a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann an Stát a chuid dualgais reachtúla i leith an phobail agus go mbíonn na seirbhísí cuí curtha ar fáil ina theanga féin do phobal na Gaeltachta mar atá dlite dó faoin mBunreacht. Ina theannta sin, bheadh sé ar chumas an choiste céanna seo féachaint chuige go bhfuil dóthain cainteoirí inniúla Gaeilge sa Státseirbhís. Sin ceist mhór mar ní sin mar atá i láthair na huaire.

Although we often speak about it during the week in which St. Patrick's Day falls, Seachtain na Gaeilge and so on, the challenges facing the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and elsewhere in the country are ongoing. In that context, Conradh na Gaeilge's campaign to have a standing Oireachtas committee for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht is very laudable and one which I support. It is not a question of talking about the Irish language for the sake of it but of ensuring the State fulfils its statutory duties to the Irish-speaking public and those who wish to conduct their business through Irish. The State has a duty to ensure services are available through the medium of the people's own language, the first official language of the State. That is their constitutional right, as well as their human right. A full Oireachtas committee could help to achieve this objective. It really is important to ensure there are enough Irish speakers in the public service to provide for for people's needs and meet their aspirations. We often find that Government and public policy leaders speak out of both sides of their mouths in this matter. Everybody is for the promotion of the Irish language, but when it comes to providing the necessary resources and institutional change, we do not see it happen. I would like to see progress on this matter and think we should debate it in the House at the earliest opportunity.