Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo the remarks made by Senator Leyden. There has certainly been broad cross-party support on this issue and for this cause and I am sure and certain that the support will prevail in securing a release.

Iarraim chun cúrsaí Gaeilge ó Thuaidh agus an Lá Dearg atá beartaithe i mBéal Feirste ar an Satharn beag seo a phlé. The Leader is aware, as I have raised the issue before, that the current situation in the North still allows for the retention of one of the Penal Laws, the Languages Act 1737, to prohibit the use of the Irish language in court. There is a concerted, large-scale, broadly representative, cross-community campaign to lobby for legislation to protect the rights of Irish speakers in the North with an Irish language Act. This is an outstanding commitment from the St. Andrews Agreement. Some of the support for that has manifested itself on the floor of this Chamber, including from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, who, on behalf of the Government and along with representatives from all parties and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, has supported the call for the Irish language Act. The UN and the European Union Council's Committee of Experts have all called for the implementation of that agreed Act.

On Saturday, Irish language supporters, speakers, enthusiasts and people who support the progress of rights and equality will descend on Belfast for what is being called An Lá Dearg. They will march from the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road in the heart of the Gaeltacht quarter to Belfast City Hall for a celebration of diversity and the Irish language. I draw Members' attention to this outstanding issue and encourage them to support that call. Conradh na Gaeilge has organised buses from all over the country and Members can consult Twitter or the Conradh na Gaeilge website to see if any buses are going to be close to them. I have not yet seen any from Cork so perhaps the Leader could sort that out. Tá mé ag iarraidh é sin a ardú agus iarraidh ar dhaoine ní hamháin bheith i láthair don mhórshiúl Dé Sathairn ach a bheith linn san fheachtas ar son cearta do Ghaeilgeoirí.