Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Aithním, agus táim fíorbhuíoch as, an tacaíocht, commitment agus grá den teanga atá ag an Aire Stáit féin. Maidir leis a chúlra féin, tá a fhios agam go n-aithníonn sé cé chomh tábhachtach agus atá an t-ábhar seo agus atá saol trí mheán na Gaeilge do a lán daoine ó Thuaidh.

The Minister of State will know and appreciate from his background and work, not least as former Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, that the Irish language, rights and entitlements for the Irish speaking community are vitally important to a broad range of people. In the past number of years this issue represents the broader issue of Irishness. There are people who simply see themselves as Irish, want to be part of the Irish nation and live their lives in that way.

I had intended to ask the Minister of State about the Irish Government's engagement with the British Government as co-guarantors. We all recognise and appreciate the dynamic that exist in the North at present. We all know that a lack of respect for an Irish identity and Irish language is at the heart of the reason we do not have a functioning Executive.

I wish to reiterate to the Government, through the Minister of State, how important this matter is to many. The issue will not go away. It continues because it is necessary, concerns rights and equality and because it is an issue that was agreed. I do not say the following to be overly dramatic but it is true that rights delayed are rights denied. There is an obligation on all of us to redouble our efforts to ensure that the very just and legitimate demand for an Irish language Act, regardless of the climate in the North, is fulfilled as part of agreements reached.