Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús báire, gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an gCathaoirleach as ucht na hócáide iontaí seo a eagrú. Tá sé an-mhaith. Mo chomhghairdeas duit. Is cúis áthais dom Linda a fháiltiú anseo inniu. Tréaslaím go mór leis an obair iontach atá ar siúl agat ar son ár dteanga agus ár n-oidhreacht. Tá sé an-oiriúnach go bhfuil tú linn chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh.Is cúis áthais dom chomh maith mo sheanchara, an iar-Sheanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú a fháiltiú inniu, agus in éineacht leis, uachtarán Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, CCÉ, Éamonn Ó hArgáin, agus baill eile de riaracháin agus d’ardchomhairle CCÉ. Ar ndóigh, táim an-sásta fáiltiú roimh uachtarán tofa Chonradh na Gaeilge chomh maith.

Linda, is í ár dteanga eochair ár litríochta agus ár n-oidhreacht shaibhir agus tá sé sin chomh tábhachtach. The language, as you clearly delineated in your remarks, in your life and in all the great work you do with the Turas project etc, is not the possession of any demographic or religion. In fact, you follow in a great tradition of a wonderful Protestant churchman of the 17th century, Bishop Bedell, who was the Bishop of Kilmore and translated the bible into Gaelic. You follow in that noble and rich tradition. Irish language, literature and culture, including musical culture, which is exemplified by our visitors here, are a rich possession of the Protestant community, the Catholic community and, indeed, our new Irish - we want them to enjoy it too. You are right; it is not about sectarian divisions or walls. It is about unity and bringing people together.

I sincerely salute your wonderful work, Linda. I am proud to be in the same room as you and to have the privilege of welcoming you. I genuinely admire what you are doing. We need more people like you. In fact, people like you are needed all over the world sadly. Again, I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on this wonderful initiative.