Seanad debates

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

2:30 pm

Photo of Niall Ó DonnghaileNiall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leat, a Chathaoirligh. Cuireann sé gliondar i mó chroí a chluinstin go bhfuil tú ag iarraidh níos mó Ghaeilge a úsáid anseo agus an teanga a chur chun cinn.

I want to congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his election and I look forward to working with him during the coming Seanad term. There is much diversity among the individuals in the Chamber but, for all our egos and idiosyncrasies, all eyes will not be on us today. The boys in green are heading to Paris and, if Twitter is anything to go by, they are currently over England on the aeroplane, and are tweeting away. I know those in this Chamber will send their best wishes and good luck to both teams from the island that are heading to the European Championships.

I congratulate Senator Buttimer on his appointment. I ask that he consider bringing the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources before the House. I certainly hope Ireland are in the European Championships for as long as they possibly can be, but there many issues faced by those of us living in the North. Unfortunately, we cannot access many of the games via RTE and, despite the very positive news advertised by RTE and the FAI that much of the commentary would be available as Gaeilge for those who wanted to avail of it, this will not be available for viewers in the North, even for those who can watch the games. While I appreciate that it is one of the more minor issues, nevertheless, it is one which resonates with many people. If we are serious about promoting the profile and use of the language, we should put our money where our mouth is. Perhaps that is something the Leader, Senator Buttimer, will consider.

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