Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome. Unfortunately, like the previous speaker, I had good Irish in the past but my ability to speak it has diminished due to a lack of use. There is a lesson in that for all of us.

I compliment the Oireachtas on providing Irish language classes. I attended them in the past; I did not sign up to them for this term but I will in the future.

I compliment the Minister of State on bringing forward this important Bill. I have been involved in a Gaelcholáiste for the past 17 years and I am its current chairperson. I believe that the Irish language is very important and that it should be used by the public sector. When one tunes into the broadcast of the European Parliament one will see translators and sometimes when Irish MEPs speak in Irish their words are translated so the Irish language is used in Europe. Therefore, the Irish language should be brought into the public service here and used more frequently.

There are supports in place to support the Irish language and it is off to a very good start with 20%. Many people now queue to get into Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí and there are always waiting lists. In the past some parents may have been afraid to send their children to Gaelscoileanna because they might not have spoken fluent Irish themselves but now that barrier has been broken.People are using the Irish language more and more. Using and speaking it improves their fluency in it. This is very worthwhile. I support this Bill because we have a proud heritage which is important and means so much to us here in Ireland.

Like Senator Buttimer, I too remember Peig, and it was one of my favourite stories to read and learn in school. I wish the Minister of State the very best with the Bill and he has my full support.