Seanad debates

Thursday, 24 September 2009

10:30 am

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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Seasaim chun aird an Teach a dhíriú ar na moltaí i dtuarascáil an bord snip nua maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht. Ba mhaith liom go mhíneodh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Curran, an gá leis an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, i bhfianaise na gciorruithe 58% nó €50 milliún atá molta ag an bord snip nua don Ghaeltacht agus dos na hoileáin, dearbhú a thabhairt do phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge go mbeidh an Rialtas ag seasamh le chúig phrionsabal i leith na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta. Is iad na cúig phrionsabal ná Roinn na Gaeltachta a choinneáil faoi cheannasaíocht an Aire; cúraimí fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta a choinneáil; oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge a chosaint; scéimeanna forbartha teanga, cultúrtha agus ealaíne a choinneáil agus a leasú más gá; agus ciste caiteachais a bheith ar fáil d'oibreacha caipitil, infreastruchtúir agus pobail i gceantair iargúlta ar nós an Ghaeltacht. Tá sé soiléir go bhfuil an bord snip nua ag lorg laghdú de 58% i gcaiteachas an Ghaeltacht agus na hoileáin. Tá sé sin i bhfad níos mó ná an ghnáth-laghdú - thart ar 8.3%, ar an meán - atá á lorg dos na Ranna eile. Ní cheart dúinn €50 milliún a tharraingt siar os na ceantair is iargúlta sa tír. Bheadh impleachtaí millteanacha i gceist don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht má cuireadh deireadh leis na scéimeanna seo.

Mar a dúirt mé leis an Aire Stáit taobh amuigh, sílim gur masla é nach bhfuil Aire nó Aire Stáit i láthair gur féidir leis nó léi an cheist seo a phlé i nGaeilge. Tuigim nach bhfuil Gaeilge ag gach éinne san Oireachtas, ach is é seo an chéad rún atá curtha síos sa Seanad le fada atá go hiomlán trí Ghaeilge. Ba cheart go mbeadh an freagra le fáil go huile trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeimid ábalta mion-scrúdú a dhéanamh i nGaeilge. B'fhéidir go mbeidh níos mó le rá agam ar an cheist sin níos déanaí.

Tagann an rún seo ó feachtas atá á eagrú ag Guth na Gaeltachta, atá bunaithe i nGaeltacht Tír Chonaill, le cúpla seachtain anuas. Tá an bhfeachtas ag súil go mbeidh gach eagraíocht sa Ghaeltacht agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht sásta seasamh ar chúl na bprionsabal atá luaite agam. Táimid ag iarraidh déanamh cinnte de go mbeidh Gaeltacht láidir agus pobal Ghaeilge láidir againn sa todhchaí. Is grúpa trasphairtí agus neamhpholaitiúil é Guth na Gaeltachta. Ba mhaith liom sár-mholadh a thabhairt dóibh siúd atá ag stiúradh an ghrúpa. Tá sé iontach soiléir cén fáth nár cheart dúinn na ciorraithe seo a chur i bhfeidhm. Caithfimid Aire a choinneáil i Roinn na Gaeltachta, cúraimí fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta a choinneáil agus oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge a chosaint.

Níl mórán am agam. Mar a dúirt mé sa Seanad inné, caithfimid céim siar a ghlacadh chun smaoineamh ar an chineál tír gur mhaith linn a fhágáil i gceann deich nó fiche bliain, nuair a bheidh cúrsaí eacnamaíochta na tíre ag feabhsú. Má tá daoine ag obair arís, ní bheidh na brúnna eacnamaíochta sa tír is atá againn faoi láthair. Cén cineál tír a bheidh fágtha againn? Tá an dainséar ann gur tír aonteangach a bheidh againn. Beidh brú millteanach ar an Ghaeltacht, mar atá ag an phointe seo. B'fhéidir go mbeidh deireadh le chúrsaí Ghaeilge agus leis an Ghaeltacht de bharr na ciorruithe seo. Ó thaobh oideachas na Gaeltachta de, tá sé soiléir go bhfuil an bord snip nua ag iarraidh deireadh a chur leis an Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta. Tá an bord ag iarraidh scoileanna iargúlta nach bhfuil 100 dalta acu a dhúnadh. Is scoileanna beaga uilig atá sa Ghaeltacht. Níl scoileanna móra ann. Tá sé beartaithe ag an mbord cuid de chúramaí an Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta a thabhairt go dtí an Roinn Oideachas agus Eolaíochta. Má tharlaíonn sin, níl dabht ar bith nach mbeidh seans á thabhairt don Ghaeltacht. Faoi láthair, tá an Roinn Oideachas agus Eolaíochta ag iarraidh deireadh a chur leis an luath-thumoideachas. Tá céatadán iontach beag de caiteachas iomlán na tíre, thart ar 0.5%, á chaitheamh sna ceantar Ghaeltachta. Níl an dearcadh ceart acu.

Tá mé i mo chónaí i nGaoth Dobhair, ag bun an sráid ina bhfuil an éastát tionsclaíochta lonnaithe. Bhí níos mó ná 1,500 duine fostaithe ann uair amháin, ach tá níos lú ná 1,000 duine ag obair ann anois. Ar a laghad, tá daoine fostaithe ann. Má théann cúraimí fiontraíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta go dtí Enterprise Ireland, níl dabht ar bith ann ná nach bhfanfaidh na postanna sin i nGaoth Dobhair. Chruthaigh Údarás na Gaeltachta níos mó ná 900 post i 2007. Tharla an rud céanna anuraidh. Muna bhfuil foirne ag an údarás i nGaoth Dobhair agus in áiteanna eile i dTír Chonaill chun díriú isteach ar fostaíocht a chruthú, níl dabht ar bith ná nach mbeidh go leor postanna sna ceantair iargúlta Gaeltachta. Beidh ar muintir na Gaeltachta dul go dtí na bailte móra sa chontae, nó b'fhéidir go dtí áiteanna eile. Tá sé beartaithe freisin ag an mbord scéimeanna forbartha teanga, cultúrtha agus ealaíne, caiteachas caipitil agus cistí éagsúla eile a ghearradh siar, a laghdú nó a chur ar ceal.

Níl aon ciall leis, mar a dúirt mé. Sé an rud atá á iarraidh againn inniu ná go mbeadh an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta anseo inniu - níl sé, áfach, ach tá ráiteas ón Roinn agus tá sé sin ceart go leor - chun a rá an bhfuil an Rialtas sásta seasamh ar na cúig prionsabal, siad sin: an Roinn a choinneáil agus an Aire a bheith ann; cúrsaí fiontraíochta a fhágáil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta sa dóigh is gur tig linn sa Ghaeltacht déanamh cinnte de go mbeadh ar a laghad eagraíocht amháin dírithe ar fostaíocht a chruthú sa Ghaeltacht; oideachas Ghaeilge a choinneáil agus Gaeilge a chosaint; scéimeanna forbartha teanga, cultúrtha agus ealaíona a choinneáil, cé nach bhfuil dabht ar bith go bhfuil leasú de dhíth ar cuid de na scéimeanna seo agus go gcaithfear iad a leasú; agus caiteachas a chur ar fáil le haghaidh infreastruchtúr a fheabhsú ar son daoine sna Gaeltachtaí, go háirithe ar na hoileáin. Fágfaidh mé é leis an Aire Stáit na ceisteanna sin a fhreagairt.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív. As the Senator knows and as the Minister has said many times before, the Government will decide on the various recommendations that have been submitted to it, and which are mentioned in this question, in due course. The Minister understands that Gaeltacht communities view the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs as being very important, particularly the activity and support schemes of both the Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Gaeltacht. Some of these schemes, such as the Irish language learners' scheme, have been in existence for many years.

The summer colleges not only support the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and nationally, but also boost the Gaeltacht economy. Without those colleges, the Gaeltacht would be a far poorer place. The Irish colleges also foster mutual support and goodwill towards the language on a national basis. It is vital that the accommodation of summer college students in their homes be advantageous to Gaeltacht families. The language-centred Irish college industry greatly enhances the tourist industry in the Gaeltacht and provides significant earnings to the Gaeltacht communities whose household and community language is Irish. The Irish colleges also have a positive effect on young people in the Gaeltacht with regard to how they use the language themselves. Many of them work in Irish colleges during the summer, which illustrates to them the advantages of the language, in turn preserving the language among them. The youth of the Gaeltacht see that their peers from other parts of the country are inspired to learn the language and are more inclined to speak it among themselves. Responsibility for the question of education in the Gaeltacht rests with the Minister for Education and Science and there is full co-operation between my Department and the Department of Education and Science in that regard.

Having said that, the Department administers certain schemes that support the language in the Gaeltacht through the education system. These schemes are reviewed regularly. Support is also provided to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in NUI Galway which has a central role in community development and in preserving the Irish language in the Gaeltacht. The Minister understands very well, therefore, the importance of education in preserving the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.

The Senator will be aware also that a Government committee, chaired by the Taoiseach, is currently preparing a 20-year strategy for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. The Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, understands the support needed by the Gaeltacht communities to sustain and develop their own language. The policy statement published by the Government in 2006 contained the Government's vision for the language. The 20-year strategy will aim to develop that vision and designate a strategy to implement it.

With regard to sustaining Údarás na Gaeltachta's enterprise responsibilities, the Minister would like to remind the Senator that the Department carried out a comprehensive review of the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2006 to amend, as appropriate, the legislation under which the Údarás operates. The Minister invited the public to submit proposals to the Department as part of that review process. A total of 67 submissions were received from the public in that regard. The public submissions were independently analysed and the public's opinion will be taken into account if changes are to be made to the structures under which Údarás na Gaeltachta operates. The current situation regarding this matter is that the issue is being considered in the context of the discussions of the Government committee relating to the 20-year strategy to which I referred.

I do not believe anyone could question the Government's commitment with regard to the investment made in the Gaeltacht and on the islands in recent years and the improvements that have taken place in those areas as a result of that. Ten years ago there was a huge lack of capital infrastructure on the islands, especially with regard to piers, roads, recreational centres and coastal protection.

The State has spent more than €100 million on the development of infrastructure on the islands from 1998 to date. A total of €11 million has been spent in Donegal, €20 million in Mayo, €7 million in Cork and €62 million in Galway, where most of the populated islands are. This does not include the extra funding provided as joint funding from the county councils or specific expenditure from Údarás na Gaeltachta or other State Departments and organisations. The result of this expenditure is evident throughout the country from Donegal to Cork.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has invested continually in the development of the physical and social infrastructure of the Gaeltacht for many years. Evidence of this can be seen in the many facilities available such as community halls, Irish colleges and playing pitches. Under the strategic roads scheme significant development has taken place on the network of main roads in the Gaeltacht. The Minister is proud of the progress made with regard to these developments in the Gaeltacht and on the islands.

Undoubtedly, we face many challenges in our current economic climate and with the world economy as it stands. The Senator will understand that it cannot be stated in the current climate that no cutbacks will take place in the various sectors that fall within the remit of responsibility of the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, but it can be said that the Government's commitment to the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and the islands is evident and it will continue to strive to improve the quality of life of those communities and to reinforce the Irish language as a household and community language for the generations to come.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an ráiteas is déanaí atá déanta ag an Roinn chun a chinntiú go dtiocfaidh feabhas ar an Ghaeilge mar teanga teaghlaigh an phobail sna glúinte atá romhainn. Ar an drochuair, áfach, ní raibh an Aire in ann rá nach gcuirfí chun cinn aon ceann de moltaí an bord snip nua. Caithfear a rá freisin, nuair a chuireann Seanadóir ceist i nGaeilge ar Aire nó Aire Stáit ón Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, níl sé inghlactha go bhfuil an freagra á thabhairt i dTithí an Oireachtais i mBéarla. Níl sé inghlactha. Caithfimid déanamh cinnte de nach dtarlóidh a leithéid arís.

The point I am making does not in any way reflect on a Minister or anybody who does not have the ability to speak the Irish language. I have the ability to speak it because while I was born in Glasgow my parents moved back to Donegal and we lived in the Gaeltacht. It was an ability I had nearly from birth and it came naturally to me.

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Has the Senator a question?

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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This is a point of order.

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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The Senator cannot raise a point of order now. Has he a question for the Minister of State?

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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This is a question. I asked a question of the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht about Gaeltacht issues and I deserve and am entitled to an answer in Irish. The corridors of Leinster House should have been scoured to find a Minister or Minister of State to answer that question in Irish. This is an insult to the people-----

Photo of Paddy BurkePaddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Has the Senator a question for the Minister of State?

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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-----who are actively campaigning for the protection of Irish language rights that even in their own Parliament they cannot get an answer to a question in Irish.

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I apologise for my personal inability in this respect. While I have a certain amount of Irish I would not feel comfortable or competent to give an adequate response in Irish. I regard that as a failing. My Irish was learned in school. I did not live in an Irish speaking community.

The Senator made a valid point that the question was put in Irish. With the way the business of the Houses is conducted, relatively short notice of this was given. Had it been possible, the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, would have responded in Irish quite competently as the Senator would be aware, but unfortunately he was not in a position to be here because the way of the business is conducted. The Senator also asked why another Minister of State was not asked to respond. In regard to this case, I am in this Department with the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív. I have made my apologies and I take the Senator's point on board.

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)
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Go raibh maith agat.