Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an Seanadóir Ardagh. Táim ábalta cúpla focal Gaeilge a labhairt. Is deas an rud go bhfuilimid ábalta díospóireacht a bheith againn anseo sa Teach le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge, nó b’fhéidir coicís na Gaeilge mar bhí an tseachtain seo caite san áireamh freisin. Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Stáit mar tá na daoine atá anseo ábalta an Ghaeilge a labhairt go flúirseach agus is deas an rud é.

Uaireanta bím ag éisteacht le Raidió na Gaeltachta nó le TG4 agus it is wonderful to see both our Minister and Minister of State having such a good command of that language when speaking.We should acknowledge and recognise that the Taoiseach called for Irish to be placed at the heart of Government business. It is a very strong statement. The Government has increased funding. I know from talking to Julian de Spáinn and others in Conradh na Gaeilge, who do a wonderful job, that they are happy with that.

It may be important to say that fadó fadó - 30, 40 nó 50 bliain ó shin - nuair a bhí múinteoirí ag múineadh na Gaeilge go raibh eagla ar chuid de na daltaí mar go raibh an method mícheart. Ní raibh na múinteoirí mícheart, ach bhí an method mícheart. Ceapaim go bhfuil an method i gceart anois. People are happier with it. Young people are happier to discuss it. Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi fhear amháin, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Ba mhaith liom ómós a thabhairt dó. He has a wonderful way with the cúpla focal Béarla and the cúpla focal Gaeilge. It means so much to people. Tá múinteoirí anseo. We must admit that some students went through sheer hell down through the years because of Irish. It was a pity and it badly damaged our language. Is cinnte go bhfuil an situation better anois. Tá bealach iontach ag Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh chun an Ghaeilge a theagasc.