Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my solidarity and support, given the very bad news announced this morning in regard to Eason’s in the North. Eason’s is reviewing its stores throughout the Six Counties, where it employs 144 staff members. Within the context of Covid as outlined by Senator Chambers for other sectors, it is a very stark reminder of the real threat posed to our economy by the Covid crisis. Eason’s is a very familiar Irish brand, well known to all of us, and I hope it can engage with the 144 workers and their representatives to ensure it offsets the worst aspects of that very unfortunate loss, not just for our economy, the workers and their families, but also a loss of something that is really special in Irish life. We all have memories of going into Eason’s to get our books, to get ready to go back to school and all of those things.

Ní mór a rá nach údar muiníne an dóigh inar ceapadh Aire Stáit nua, an Teachta Jack Chambers, inné. Go dtí gur ceistíodh an Taoiseach, níor léir gur ceapadh Aire Stáit ar bith don Ghaeilge. Mar sin, ba mhaith liom go dtiocfadh an Aire Stáit nua go dtí an Teach seo go labhróidh sé linn faoina fhís don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht. I call on the new Minister of State, Deputy Jack Chambers, to come to the Chamber to outline his vision for the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities, given the crisis they are facing. I am very disappointed that the Taoiseach had to be asked yesterday by two separate Deputies, including my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, if the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, was in fact taking over the Gaeltacht portfolio, rather than this being included in the main announcement to the Dáil. It does not seem the Government is taking the issue of an Gaeilge or the existential crisis facing Gaeltacht communities seriously and that it is a mere afterthought. The various Gaeltacht communities will take very little comfort or confidence from the manner of yesterday's announcement. Mar sin, ba mhaith liom go dtiocfadh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Jack Chambers, go dtí an Teach gan mhoill.

It is Traveller Pride week this week and while we can all be very proud of the inclusion of a member of the Traveller community in this Seanad, it is fair to say that is not enough. It is a step forward, it is positive and it is good, but it is not enough. I know colleagues will join with me in recognising the sterling work of Traveller community organisations and all of those from within that community who are doing great work across the entirety of Ireland. I wish them all well. I know they cannot celebrate it in the traditional fashion and it is a different Traveller Pride week this time. Certainly, I am very proud of our Traveller community and very proud to articulate that in this Chamber. I know other colleagues will join with me in that.