asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht whether factory premises have been completed in or near Spiddal, County Galway; if not, when they are expected to be completed; what articles will be manufactured therein; and whether any financial interest other than that of Gaeltarra Éireann is involved.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Spiddal (Galway) Factory Premises.
15.
Tuigim Ó Ghaeltarra Éireann go bhfuiltear ag súil go mbedih an mhonarcha sa Spidéal críochnaithe i ndeireadh Lúnasa, 1961. Tuigim freisin gur bréagáin a déanfar inti agus nach bhfuil aon pháirt airgid sa ghnó ag éinne taobh amuigh de Gaeltarra Éireann.
I should like to have the answer in English.
Níor iarr an té a chuir an cheist orm an freagra a thúirt in mBéarla.
Is it not down in English?
For the benefit of Deputy Coogan would the Minister give the reply in English?
Perhaps I should say this in English. On several occasions, Sir, you have been asked to rule on this question of my answering questions in Irish which have been put down in English. I am following a rule that was made first by Deputy Mulcahy and then confirmed by Deputy Lindsay. It is in writing on the records of my Department. I have modified it to the extent that I do give a translation when I receive a request from the Deputy who has asked the question, provided he did not understand what I said in Irish. Does Deputy Lindsay now say he did not understand the reply which I gave in Irish?
In reply——
Sit down, please. Does Deputy Lindsay——
A Deputy
A second Ceann Comhairle.
——now inform me that he does not understand the reply I gave in Irish and does he request a translation?
On a point of order, has the Minister the sole discretion in matters like this as to whether or not he will give the answer in Irish,. or in English, or both?
The Minister has discretion——
Does that mean that any Deputy can speak for half an hour in English and then repeat what he has said in Irish?
That would be repetition.
On the part of the Minister.
The Minister has been requested to give a translation. That is quite a different matter.
The Minister indicated that he will do so at the request of the Deputy who tables the question but is it not a fact that a question is the property of the House and any member is entitled to ask supplementary questions?
Perhaps Deputy O'Sullivan does not know what Deputy Lindsay put on the records?
This is a general matter.
In reply to the cross-examination by the distinguished jurist as to whether I asked for the reply in English because he alleges I did not understand the Minister's answer in Irish, he knows perfectly well that I understood his answer in Irish but in deference to Deputy Coogan I asked that the reply be given in English. I shall not use Irish for the concealment of fraud of any kind.
(Interruptions).
Did the Minister implement the ruling that all persons who wrote to Government Departments in Irish should be answered in Irish and that the Departments should be circularised?
The Finance Bill. Amendment No. 7.
I do not mind admitting that I did not understand the answer in Irish.
I tell Deputy Sweetman that——
This cannot go on for ever.
I think the Chair is to blame for a lot of this.
I am thankful to the Deputy for his observation.