Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Seán Kyne, as bheith anseo inniu. Rud an-dearfach é go bhfuil sé anseo i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge. I commend the Minister of State and the Department on their strong commitment to the national language and their support for Seachtain na Gaeilge. It is really important that we see funding, which has been increased in key areas, to support our Irish language over recent years. In particular, the announcement of a grant of just more than €500,000 for a common curriculum for Irish to be used in our third level institutions is extremely positive.

Is féile náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta Seachtain na Gaeilge. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbainfeadh gach duine sult as. Is í an aidhm atá i gceist leis ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr dúchais a spreagadh agus bíonn neart imeachtaí ar siúl timpeall na tíre agus i dtíortha eile atá i bhfad ó bhaile.Bíonn neart imeachtaí ar siúl timpeall na tíre agus i dtíortha eile i bhfad ó bhaile freisin, imeachtaí siamsaíochta ar nós tráthanna na gceist, oícheanta ceoil, maidneacha caife agus taispeántais ealaíon. Tugann na himeachtaí ba bheaga cúnamh ollmhór den teanga. Iarrtar ar chuile duine páirt a ghlacadh sa siamsaíocht agus an méid is mó a dhéanamh chun cuidiú leis an nGaeilge a neartú. Usáideann Seachtain na Gaeilge an mana "Bain Triail Aisti!" agus nuair a oibrímid uilig ar son pobal Gaelach tá sé éasca aon rud a athrú. Ní neart go chur le chéile.

A number of weeks ago in this House we spoke about the Irish language and its future. Seachtain na Gaeilge is very much an opportunity for all of us to celebrate and to reflect on our national language. Obviously we are very aware that we have challenges and it is difficult that many of us are no longer líofa as Gaeilge but the Department are currently in the process of implementing the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language. It is really important that this will allow Irish to be a live language and to become more visible in our society, particularly as a spoken language but also in areas such as signage, literature and the arts.

Tá an Gaeilge fite fuaite inár stair agus inár saolta. Bhí sé seo le feiceáil an bliain seo caite le linn tréimhse comóraidh Éirí Amach na Cásca. Piocadh "Mise Éire" mar phríomhamhrán na hócáidí. Bhí neart imeachtaí reáchtáilte trí mheán na Gaeilge. Cuireadh críoch freisin le hIonad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh i Ros Muc, Conamara. Tugann an t-ionad seo aitheantas do Phádraig Mac Piarais agus don tionchar a bhí aige ar an nGaeilge.

Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeidh daoine ó chuile aoisghrúpa ag glacadh páirt in ócáidí i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge agus go mór mór tá sé tábhachtach go mbeidh daoine óga ag glacadh páirt. Tá neart imeachtaí cuairte ar siúl ag grúpaí poiblí agus ag grúpaí eile ar nós Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Conradh na Gaeilge, imeachtaí ar nós scoil surfála agus comórtais ealaíon trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá neart grúpaí freisin ag eagrú imeachtaí do dhéagóirí a déileáileann le sláinte mara. Timpeall na tíre, beidh imeachtaí ar siúl ó Chontae Ciarraí go Contae Ros Comain go Contae Dhún na nGall agus is é an aidhm atá ag na himeachtaí seo ná suim a spreagadh sa Ghaeilge do dhaoine nach raibh suim acu riamh agus chun líon na cainteóirí a mhéadú de réir na straitéis don Ghaeilge. Ag tabhairt tacaíocht do seo tá eagraíochtaí ar nós Pháirc an Chrócaigh agus Reilig Ghlas Naíon ag cur turais ar siúl trí Ghaeilge.

I would strongly encourage each and every person to get out and support Seachtain na Gaeilge over the coming days. There is a very engaging programme of events which has something for everybody. It is very important that we celebrate, get involved and speak our national language. It very much gives Irish people, not just at home but right across the world, a sense of national pride. It is very much an opportunity for these people, who have not used Irish since school, to re-engage and to get involved with the many events taking place in every corner of the country. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit as ucht bheith linn inniu.