asked the Taoiseach whether in view of his recent statement on Government policy in regard to the language revival he will consider the introduction of legislation, if necessary, towards the amendment of the Constitution to provide that any member of either House who becomes a member of the Government or a Parliamentary Secretary shall have a competent oral knowledge of Irish or acquire such within 12 months of taking office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Language Revival: Government Policy.
3.
I am inclined to suspect that the Deputy may have put down this Question in the hope of providing himself with an opportunity for casting ridicule on the methods now being used to promote the revival of the Irish language. In case he may have meant it as a serious inquiry, however, the answer is that the Government have no intention of taking steps with a view to the amendment of the Constitution on the lines indicated in the Question.
Could I ask the Taoiseach before he attributes motives to those Gaelic-speaking Deputies who are genuinely concerned about the impact of Government policy on our educational system, our people, and on the language itself, if he himself would take the trouble to learn the language?
Níl an Taoiseach gan eolas ar an teanga.
Tá Gaelig ag an Taoiseach.