Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Inné, bhailíomar taobh amuigh de gheataí Theach Laighean chun tacú le feachtas An Dream Dearg ar son Acht na Gaeilge ó Thuaidh. Beidh lá dearg i mBéal Feirste ar an Satharn beag seo ar 1 p.m. agus tá súil agam go mbeidh comhghleacaithe ón Oireachtas ar fad in ann a bheith i láthair linn ar an mórshiúl bríomhar dearfach agus dearg le fearg sin.

Yesterday we gathered outside the gates of Leinster House to support An Dream Dearg and Conradh na Gaeilge's call for an Irish language Act to be implemented in the North. This is a long-standing demand and one that the Irish Government has supported steadfastly since 2006 when it was first committed to by the British Government during the St. Andrews negotiations. On Saturday, thousands of Gaels will descend on Belfast and I hope colleagues from right across the Oireachtas can join us on what will no doubt be a very colourful and vibrant but also very demanding and focused parade and campaign. It is time that an Irish language Act was delivered in the North.

Like Senator McGahon, I note the remarks of Deputy Richmond in Westminster last night. It says something when the Palace at Westminster can host a discussion about Ireland's future and preparing for constitutional change without any great rancour or controversy. In the first instance, in supporting the call for the establishment of such a committee on preparing for constitutional change, it would be healthy if we too could create the space for civic voices and varying political voices who do not have a permanent presence in this institution to come in and take part. That is something I will engage colleagues on and I am sure it will be well received.

In terms of the committee itself, Senator McGahon makes a very important point. The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement has a very wide remit of work. It deals with a huge breadth of issues and, unfortunately, it still has a lot of work to do in terms of seeing the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, in terms of things like Acht na Gaeilge, human rights and equality and a whole range of other issues. It would probably be a bit short-sighted to locate that kind of discussion on Irish unity in that committee because it would take away from the rest of its work. As Senator McGahon said, it needs that focused discussion. It is a very responsible call and is one I have made previously, on occasion. In the context of preparation and planning, it is the right thing to do and the leaderly thing to do. It is also the responsible thing to do in terms of party political and constitutional obligations and fulfilling those. I hope we can see the establishment of that committee and that we will all bring positivity, determination and focus to it going forward.