Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo leithscéal. I am afraid I have to speak in English. I want to speak in support of the point made by Senator Higgins. I am extremely concerned about the Government's rush to privatise our job services. I have been contacted by people in Galway, Limerick and throughout the west, in particular. The Senator makes a valid point. Why not take advantage of this Bill in a constructive way to give a weighting to the Irish language? It is the right thing to do. It is also a means of protecting those jobs that otherwise will be thrown to one side early in the new year. I know concerns have been expressed in the Fianna Fáil Party about this process of privatising our services, but the point Senator Higgins makes is valid and I cannot think of any constructive reason the Minister of State would not accept this amendment. I ask him to do just that.