Gerry Adams
Question:1. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure that have been held in the past three months. [8950/14]
Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed)
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Joe Higgins
Question:2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure has met since the winter recess. [14916/14]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
As Deputies are aware it is not the practice, for Cabinet confidentiality reasons, to speak about specific issues discussed at Cabinet committees. The Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure met on four occasions so far this year, with the last three meetings taking place in March, April and June.
The Taoiseach has just dealt with this issue but I will raise a slightly different angle. The supply of water is an essential element of economic infrastructure and there have been many concerns raised recently about the lack of an out-of-hours emergency service by Uisce Éireann.
We are really straying as I understand this would not be discussed at a Cabinet economic infrastructure committee.
No.
Why was it not?
I do not know and the Deputy is asking questions. I am only telling him what I have heard. The question does not concern water. We must stay within the rules to some degree, please.
Will you explain the rule?
A simple question has been asked concerning the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure that have been held in the past three months. The Taoiseach has given the answer. The question did not ask about Irish Water.
In those months the issue has emerged.
Do not take me for a fool as I am long enough around not to be treated like that.
I am not.
Let us stick to the rules of the game to some extent at least.
I wonder about the merits of questions to the Taoiseach as they are currently organised. We deal with issues that are six or seven months old. The leader of Fianna Fáil and others, including myself, have queried how these questions are ordered and I want to raise an issue concerning an essential element of economic infrastructure only to be told it is not in order.
Correct. It is not appropriate to put questions to the Taoiseach when another specific question regarding a number of meetings has been asked.
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his openness in the conduct of this business. I will sit down, having once again been "section 31'd".
The Deputy and his colleagues in Northern Ireland have Question Time, as we do, with questions asked and an answer expected. A habit has grown whereby we deal with four or five questions in the entire hour because we stray into other areas. The result is we never get through the agenda. Do not try to put pressure on me.
We will get through it very quickly like this.
Perhaps there is a FÁS course for those opposite on how to write questions.
I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
Is that so it could be done on the cheap?
I have called Deputy Joe Higgins.
It would be on the cheap anyway.
I am sure the interjection by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is meant to be helpful but unfortunately it is more difficult than that. We are not allowed to frame a question asking what was discussed at the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure.
Correct.
That is the problem. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, would have to deal with constitutional change before we could ask a question along the lines he suggests. That leaves us with a problem. In fairness to the Ceann Comhairle, until now he has seen how limited that formula is and he has allowed latitude to discuss issues arising from the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure, for example. Will the Taoiseach remind the Dáil of the role of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure? Will he tell us, with regard to the meetings covered in his answer, whether there has been movement on infrastructural investment for crucial areas of the economy that are pushing forward? The greatest infrastructural need now is housing and there must be urgency about social housing-----
That is a separate question.
What role does the Cabinet committee have in that regard and have there been urgent meetings to deal with the issue?
I am afraid that is a separate question.
I will try to help the Deputy. The work of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure includes implementation of a number of commitments in the programme for Government regarding NewERA and infrastructural investment. That is supported by senior officials, bringing together the key Departments involved. The question about housing is a matter for the committee on social policy, as it deals with social housing, homelessness, boarded-up units, etc. I can provide some information about that in a moment.
In that case-----
I am sorry for interrupting but the question asked concerned the number of meetings held.
I have answered that.
If somebody asked about the purpose of the economic infrastructure committee, it would be a different issue. This is a simple question concerning the number of meetings held. We are not getting through the agenda because of this.
I answered that question.
Given that there has been an underspend in the capital programme every year with regard to the allocations for capital investment in roads, schools and so on, employment could be created if the process was done properly. There are issues regarding youth unemployment, for example, and it has been indicated that it has not been responded to adequately by the Government.
We are straying again.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied that there have been enough meetings of this committee on economic infrastructure, given the very poor performance of the Government in the spending for capital projects? The allocation was underspent this year, last year and the year before. Given the Taoiseach's response so far, the committee is not meeting enough to deal with the issues arising with regard to capital projects that would give badly needed jobs to people in the construction sector and the wider economy.
The Deputy mentioned the capital spend but the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, is carrying out a comprehensive review of expenditure for all Departments at this time in preparation for the budget later in October. With regard to the Youth Guarantee, the Minister for Social Protection has already met representatives of the OECD on a number of occasions, as well as other groups involved in the issue. Legislation is being prepared as part of general social protection legislation to deal specifically with the Youth Guarantee.
Deputies will be able to have a wider debate with the next question.
If everybody agreed, we could set aside Standing Orders for a few moments and usefully discuss our Taoiseach's questions-----
We will not discuss that now. It is a matter for the Whips.
May I ask-----
Somebody must put a stop to all of this.
All of what?
It is unfair to people who have other questions that are never reached because we stray off into other areas. My job, which is not very popular, is to say "No, the Deputy cannot". It is easier for me to sit back and let Deputy Adams ramble on for an hour until it is finished.
I think the Ceann Comhairle would acknowledge that not only do I ask lots of questions and do not stray all over the place-----
I am asking the Deputy to move on now to Question No. 3 which is a real question about discussions the Taoiseach has had with church leaders.
A real question?
The Deputy has got his answer four times to Questions Nos. 1 and 2. He may not be happy with the answer but he can come back to it the next day.
I am not happy that I was not able to put the supplementary questions.
The Deputy put supplementary questions three or four times.
Ministerial Meetings
Gerry Adams
Question:3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with church leaders. [8951/14]
Joe Higgins
Question:4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had with church leaders. [14917/14]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
Like public representatives generally, I meet church and other religious leaders, for the most part on an informal basis, in the course of attending official or public events. In addition, I meet representatives of religious and other philosophical bodies through a formal structured dialogue process, which provides a channel for consultation and communication between the State and such bodies on matters of mutual concern. These meetings take place at both ministerial and official level and meetings may be sought by either side on the basis of a proposed agenda, agreed in advance of the meeting. The arrangements for such meetings are made by my Department, which provides the administrative support for the process.
I wish to point out, however, that this process does not displace arrangements for the conduct of policy and administration by Departments and agencies in their functional responsibilities. Since taking office, I have attended a plenary meeting with all the partners in the structured dialogue process. Last year, I also met representatives of the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland and an ecumenical delegation of European churches to discuss the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. I have previously outlined for the House in detail the matters discussed at these meetings.
It is my intention to continue to hold meetings with the dialogue partners not only from the Christian churches, but from other faiths and philosophical traditions.
How many times has the Taoiseach met with the church leaders recently?
Last year, I met with-----
This year.
I have not met with the churches formally this year. Last year, I met with the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland and a delegation of European churches to deal with their priorities for the Presidency of the European Union.
I thank the Taoiseach. I know that he has a very full schedule and that the churches are in the front line, doing very good work for charities and working with citizens who are disadvantaged by austerity policies and so on. This year, we have seen the scandal of the mother and baby homes. New facts and the tragic stories of abuse and loss have emerged and continue to emerge. I read over the weekend that more 660 infants and children died in one mother and baby home in Dublin over a seven year period, from 1923 to 1930. The Catholic religious orders ran these homes with the agreement of the Government. I note and very much welcome Archbishop Martin’s positive remarks about a full inquiry. Protestant churches have also been involved in these institutions, particularly in the Bethany Home. Until recently the Government excluded the Bethany Home from any type of redress or investigation. I welcome very much the fact that has been corrected.
I was trying to ascertain whether the Taoiseach had discussions with church leaders on any of these matters, or whether any member of the Government has had discussions with them about the terms of reference for the commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes. The closing date for submissions was yesterday. A complete investigation of county homes seems to have been ruled out. All of this should be a wake-up call and incentive for the Government to consider how children and mothers have been looked after, or in this case not looked after, since this State was established. Can the Taoiseach indicate whether there has been any discussion with any of the church leaders on any of these matters? Will the terms of reference for the commission of investigation be ready on time and will they include the broader attitude of the State and its institutions towards women and children since its establishment?
We have had some discussion of this matter before. It concerns a time in our country when women came through a very difficult period, when there was neither respect nor comfort for many. The topics I discussed with the Catholic Church were Northern Ireland; the safeguarding and welfare of children; education matters; protection of life during pregnancy; and I outlined our European Presidency priorities. In respect of Northern Ireland, Cardinal Brady and I expressed revulsion at the street violence taking place at the time and the potential damage to Northern Ireland’s reputation and economic prospects. We also discussed the positive engagement between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, particularly through the North-South Ministerial Council. It was agreed at that time that the relevant Ministers and officials would continue to work together.
With the Church of Ireland I discussed education matters; the protection of life during pregnancy; issues relating to rural Ireland; Bethany Home; Northern Ireland; the elderly and child and family support issues, and I outlined our priorities for the European Presidency which was forthcoming. In respect of the delegation of European churches, we agreed on the social consequences of the economic crisis in Europe and on the particular seriousness of the level of youth unemployment in Europe. I emphasised to the churches that this would be assessed as a priority in our Presidency with its focus on jobs, stability and growth. I was happy that the Youth Guarantee came out of that focus, with the prompting of the Minister for Social Protection. The churches raised their concerns about the new proposals for data protection and how this might affect them. I undertook at the time to bring that to the attention of the Minister for Justice and Equality. They also stressed the importance of taxation policy in developing countries and argued for an extension of reporting requirements by multinational companies. Finally, the delegation underlined the importance of peace funding for reconciliation in Northern Ireland and I am glad that during our discussions with our European colleagues we were able to get some further funding for the Border region.
The Deputy mentioned Bethany Home, which he and other Deputies raised here. At the time the consideration was in respect of Magdalen laundries. Since the revelations about the mother and baby home in Tuam and the extent of what happened there, the Government committed to the establishment of a commission of investigation to examine these homes and that includes the Bethany Home. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs briefed the Government this morning on the interim report of the cross-departmental review committee which comprised senior officials from eight Departments and several State agencies and was asked to scope the issues relevant to a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and to report to the Minister by the end of June.
Clearly, the Minister has highlighted at all times the need to be mindful in any public discussion of the very sensitive nature of the issues involved here. Many families and individuals have had personal experiences of mother and baby homes and other issues that have arisen, including infant and child death and adoption. I reiterate the call for sensitivity that has been expressed by the Minister. There should be no sensationalism in respect of these matters.
I can confirm for Deputy Adams that the Minister has held meetings with politicians on all sides of the House, a number of individuals outside the House, a number of advocacy groups and church leaders. He has thanked everyone for their views, initial reactions and proposals in this regard. More than 100 submissions have been received from a range of individuals and groups. I do not doubt they will be of assistance to the cross-departmental committee when it is finalising the terms of reference for the commission. I hope the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will bring his proposed terms of reference for a commission back to the Government as soon as possible in order that we can get on with this. I will wait to see what the Minister proposes to the Government.
We have had a long and difficult history in many respects. The Minister has had discussions about several hundred other entities of one sort or another. It is probable that very few records, or no records at all, exist in many such cases. The Minister will bring his recommendations regarding the commission of investigation to the Government shortly. If one were to examine everything that has happened since the Famine, it is clear that one would find tragic histories in many homes, townlands, towns and cities throughout the country. Just this morning, someone reminded me of the tenements that used to be down the street from here. Two little girls lost their lives when an element of those tenements collapsed many years ago. I suppose the difficulties experienced by people in this city and other cities, and the hardships that were imposed on them, were endemic across many places. The Minister will come back quickly with his recommendations for this commission. I hope we will then be able to get on with the business of assessing and investigating what has emerged from all the discussions and proposals regarding the mother and baby homes, including the Bethany Home, in Tuam and throughout the country.
As one might expect, Sinn Féin has made a detailed submission regarding the terms of reference of the commission of investigation. As I said earlier, I think there needs to be an investigation into the treatment of women and babies since the foundation of the State. I accept that the State is unlikely to do this. Anything that happened when the British were here is another matter. We are talking here about matters that occurred under a native Government, which basically surrendered the rights of citizens to the dogma of a church. In my view, no church should have to depend on the State to uphold its teachings. It should be a matter of private conscience. I know the Taoiseach has tackled these issues in a very courageous and forthright way. The rights of citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable, should not be hostages to fortune over some dogma. I think we probably have an opportunity to open a new chapter in all of this. I appreciate that things obviously have to be judged in their own time. The Government, which has a busy agenda, could do a huge service by insisting on equality in all things. Of course people have the right to full religious and civil liberties. That goes without saying and has to be upheld at all times. For all we know, people are still being abused and ill-treated in institutions of the State. Not all of these difficulties are historical legacy issues. I ask the Taoiseach to consider providing for as wide a remit as possible in order that the broader question of the State's attitude to women may be examined.
I am often reminded of an incident mentioned in a very good book written by Nell McCafferty. She had come here from Derry after being employed by The Irish Times. She went into a shop to buy a gramophone record or a wireless, to use the parlance of those days, on hire purchase. The shopkeeper told her he could not give it to her on hire purchase without getting a man to sign for it. This was in 1974 or 1975. When she told him she did not have a man, he told her to hold on while he stopped a man in the street and asked him to come in and sign the form on behalf of Nell. After the man had done so, Nell asked him if he was working and he said he was not. Even though she had a very good job in The Irish Times, presumably with very good wages, she could not get a household item on hire purchase because she was a woman. While it might seem half-humorous, none the less it shows how her rights were contravened. That is the type of attitude that allowed what occurred in the mother and baby homes and Magdalen laundries and malpractices like symphysiotomy to continue. Perhaps there is an opportunity for a national conversation on these big matters and on the need for equality for all citizens, regardless of gender, disability or anything else. A formal commission might not be needed.
The other day, Deputy Mathews gave me the Stiglitz document, which suggests that inequality is not necessarily a given.
No, it was a text. I have the document here. I saved it for the Taoiseach in case he did not get to have it to hand.
I have to say I support the idea that if governments are sufficiently decisive, equality can be brought much more to the fore. I thank Deputy Adams for his party's submission to the Minister. I am sure it has made a detailed analysis. I agree with what the Deputy had to say. The fact is that child abuse is not just a matter of history. Were we not reminded of that by the words of a justice in the court recently, in the context of an horrific case that occurred over a period of years in the last decade? It is because this is true that vigilance and information are so important.
The public consultation process that is starting now, along with the commission of investigation, will certainly be part of a national conversation about Ireland as a society, about its people and about what happened here. I do not want to pre-empt the detail of the final recommendations the Minister will bring before Government. In so far as he can - obviously, it is impossible to please every strand here - he will attempt to do his best and the Government will respond to that. I hope the conversation is broad, comprehensive, sensitive and understanding. I hope it takes account of the questions of equality and inequality. Equality was an issue for women in our country, in particular, because they did not have it over all those years. I hope the terms of reference given to the commission of investigation in this case will be comprehensive and sensitive to the thousands of people who have memories of being in mother and baby homes, who lost babies or children or who were involved in cases where adoption occurred. It is a sensitive discussion and one that needs to be treated seriously. I am sure the Minister will lead that discussion in an appropriate manner.
It is impossible to understand the horrors that took place in the Irish Free State and the Irish Republic, such as those which have only recently come to light with the mother and baby home scandals, without understanding the unique relationship that developed between the Irish State and the Catholic Church. In essence, a very weak capitalist State dominated by gombeens, small business owners, right-wing politicians and so on, desperately in search of security and legitimacy, leaned on the authority of the Catholic Church for that legitimacy and ceded considerable powers that should have been democratically controlled by a democratic state to a church institution. Does the Taoiseach agree that the theological writ of one church dictated horrific control mechanisms informed by a misogynistic and patriarchal outlook, of which women and girls were particularly the victims, involving an obsession with women's sexuality which fostered shame, fear and secrecy? This view was preached from the pulpit to Dáil Éireann and reflected in the media.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the State we have today is still marked considerably by that history and, in particular, that the outsourcing of critical social services like health and education to a religious institution ensured those services were never developed in the comprehensive, all-embracing way they should have been by a democratic state if it was truly democratic and representative of the people, and that the effect of that is evident to this day? In his discussions currently and in recent times with church leaders, has the Taoiseach spoken about the need for the complete separation of church and State? Has he spoken about the implications of such a separation in respect of the control of education, for example, and the need to develop and implement democratic structures for running education that involve parents, students, teachers, instructors and the community in general but do not rely on authoritarian patronage that is decided simply by two or three churches which are influential in this society? What measures is he taking to ensure this complete democratic separation of church and State is brought about in all the services that are crucial to our people, particularly in education?
I have tried to articulate my view on this issue on a number of occasions in the past. It is true to say that our people and society were dominated by one church for many decades. Clearly, that brought with it its difficulties and legacies. I am glad there has been a very significant shift in recognising that these legacy issues of the past need to be apologised for, opened up and dealt with, and those who were involved must be brought before the hand of justice. I agree with the Deputy regarding the impact on young girls and women. Where I come from, where births occurred out of wedlock many women had to go to Liverpool or elsewhere in England because of a perception of scandal and shame being brought upon their families. I must say, however, that during my years in the De La Salle day secondary school in Castlebar, I do not know of anybody who was sexually abused there. While the regime was as hard as any other in terms of corporal punishment - the same practices applied across the board - the De La Salle brothers and the small number of lay teachers at the school did the very best they could in trying to uphold the standards of teaching. I am saying this from personal experience; others might have different experiences depending on where they were.
I have spoken about this issue with the archbishop of Dublin on a number of occasions. Archbishop Martin has made the point that the extent of ownership of schools by the church is too great and, for that reason, it would like to have part of its patronage extended to others while retaining the right to have its own ethos in Catholic schools, the same as for any other religion in its schools. This is an issue that is all the time part of the progress of our society. The relationship between church and State is clearer, stronger and more healthy now because of the actions taken by Government in, for instance, setting up the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, holding a referendum on children's rights and making changes in the law. There has been a positive response from the Catholic Church and other churches to having that clarity as to what they stand for and, on the other hand, the responsibilities of the State towards society and our people.
Perhaps the Deputy's view of history is slightly revisionist in some ways. Others might have different views. I agree with him, however, regarding the domination of the people and society by the church and the consequent legacies of that domination, which was unhealthy for many people. We are working to address these issues. The commission of investigation being set up by the Government into mother and baby homes is another step in dealing with a sad element of that particular legacy.
Is there still a structured dialogue in place whereby the Taoiseach of the day meets with representatives of all the churches collectively?
Yes.
I understand it has not been activated thus far this year.
Such engagements can take place where either side requests them.
The Taoiseach mentioned in his reply that his discussions with church leaders have included a consideration of issues to do with Northern Ireland and education. In the context of what happened at mother and baby homes and state-run institutions, it is interesting that Northern Ireland has been very slow and behind the curve in responding to these issues. I understand an inquiry is taking place into industrial-type schools in the North, but the Executive and others have been refusing for some time, as I understand, to deal with the mother and baby home issue. A range of NGOs and other organisations in Northern Ireland have been pushing these issues but, for some reason, the political world has not responded. In the context of the Taoiseach's discussions with the churches, has there been reference to this difference of pace in how these issues are being dealt with North and South? In this State we have had a whole variety of inquiries into church-run institutions and examinations of diocesan stewardship in the context of incidences of child abuse. The Ryan Commission, for example, was established back in 1999. On the other hand, it has taken many years for Northern Ireland politicians of all persuasions to engage on these issues, which is reflected in the degree of resistance I understand there has been to an inquiry into mother and baby homes in the North. I would appreciate the Taoiseach's thoughts on this issue and whether he has discussed it with the church leaders.
In regard to education matters, we all understand the importance of education to minority faiths. At primary school level, the position of small schools - those with two, three or four teachers - is a vital issue for the Church of Ireland and Presbyterian churches, particularly along the Border and in rural areas, as well as in some urban areas. These churches remain very concerned about the impact on their faith of policy decisions on pupil-teacher ratios for small schools. Did the Taoiseach discuss this issue with the church leaders? In addition, second level Church of Ireland schools are equally concerned about the impact of the changes in pupil-teacher ratios for fee-paying schools.
Some have had to wind up or change their status. This is in the context of preserving their faith and the entitlement of parents to have their children educated in a particular faith. In particular in the Church of Ireland, the Protestant and the Presbyterian arena, there is a very strong linkage in their world between education and the preservation and continuation of their faith and they are very concerned about unintended consequences of policy and about the impact of these policies on their capacity in this regard. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach could indicate whether those issues were discussed because I am sure we would agree that religious diversity is most important in the educational world.
Following on from Deputies Martin, Adams and Higgins, fundamentally, this is a question of basic human rights moving up to equality - the Taoiseach mentioned the importance of equality - to tolerance and to respect, no matter where we are in this world. By accident, we just happen to be in this country. It brings up the question that is at issue in this Parliament, which is, the equality and the tolerance of the ideas of parliamentarians and their rights and responsibilities in the context of a Whip and the question of the genesis and validity of authority. These are questions for the Taoiseach to reflect on.
Last Friday, there was an international rally in Paris, supported by 120,000 people, demonstrating resistance to the fundamentalist regime in Iran. Representatives from 69 countries were there, supporting-----
Thank you.
This is contemporary with ISIS and so on.
I know.
I beg your forbearance for a moment.
There are a lot of other questions.
This is extremely important. Since the late 1970s, 120,000 people have been executed in Iran because of fundamentalist religious-----
Sorry, we are talking about talks with church-----
-----behaviour of Khomenei and the mullahs. As a nation, we need to be aware of the contemporary times in which we live. There is a temptation to put huge energy and resources into looking back. While that is important and can be done, it should not be the prime occupation in contemporary times that deserve justice to be brought to our fellow human beings in the world's family. I think we have been remiss in this respect. I learned so much. To be present at a rally of 120,000-----
Sorry, Deputy, I have to ask you to-----
-----was extraordinary and I would like to talk to you about it later.
That is grand.
You may be very happy to engage with Deputy Mathews on that matter.
Deputy Martin raised an important and a valid point about the political response in respect of the Executive in Northern Ireland. There will be a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council on Friday in Dublin, hosted by the Government. I will make a point of raising that with the political personnel who are here. I am not sure of the extent of engagement from the Executive in Northern Ireland but that is a good point.
In regard to speaking to the Protestant and Church of Ireland communities, I spoke to archbishop Michael Jackson. He wrote to me about the inclusion of the Bethany Home in the remit of the inquiry into the mother and baby homes, and that is obviously included. We have had some discussion around that before. The other point-----
Small schools.
From an equality point of view, this is an issue which affects not just the Church of Ireland or other religions but quite a number locations around the country where populations have dropped. As a result of decisions made by the previous Government and our own Government-----
This is the Taoiseach's decision.
-----there is an impact.
This is the Minister, Deputy Quinn's decision.
Believe me, there is.
As part of the 2012 budget decisions, there is a phased increase in the number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools with four teachers or less. An appeals process is available to small schools which have had their staff numbers reduced because of budgetary measures. Schools with four teachers or less losing a teacher and which fail to gain an additional teacher as a result of the 2012 budget measures are entitled to submit their appeal to the primary staffing appeals board. That appeals board takes into account all those considerations and operates independently of the Department of Education and Skills and its decision on the matter is final. That issue affects schools in isolated areas. As the Deputy knows, there is a number of them in my constituency.
I was not in Paris for the-----
Rally.
-----mass movement there but I was in Tibnin recently laying a wreath at the memorial to 47 members of the Defence Forces who lost their lives over a number of years in the service of the United Nations. The scale of the humanitarian issue in Syria, with millions of people displaced and 1 million gone into Lebanon and 1 million gone into Jordan, the issues arising in Iraq between Sunnis, Shias and other forces, what is happening in Afghanistan, Crimea and Ukraine-----
Exacerbated by the regime in Iran.
-----are all issues on this the day of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. That speaks for itself. These are issues which all politicians should reflect on in respect of their responsibilities, their rights and, I hope, the requirement to make decisions where tolerance is understood and equality, as the Deputy rightly pointed out, can be brought to the fore.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Gerry Adams
Question:5. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht last met. [8953/14]
Gerry Adams
Question:6. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht will next meet. [8954/14]
Gerry Adams
Question:7. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Irish and Gaeltacht Cabinet committee that have taken place since Christmas. [12763/14]
Joe Higgins
Question:8. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht last met; and the date on which the next meeting is scheduled. [14918/14]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together.
The Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht met on two occasions this year - on 20 February and on 31 March. No date has been confirmed for the next meeting.
Deputy Adams, I ask you for your co-operation because we only have 13 minutes left and there are other questions which we might try to deal with.
I always co-operate with you. You know that.
Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
I am very disappointed not only that this committee has only met twice but that there is no date fixed for another meeting not least because of the dreadful state of the Gaeltachtaí. Tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach gurb iad na Gaeltachtaí tobar na Gaeilge. Tá an pobal seo agus na ceantair seo an-saibhir ó thaobh na Gaeilge ach tá a lán damáiste déanta agus damáiste déanta don Údarás agus do Fhoras na Gaeilge. Ní thuigim an fáth atá leis sin. Is fíorghaeilgeoir iad an Taoiseach agus an tAire, atá ina chónaí i nGaoth Dobhair. Tá a lán Gaeilge ag an Rialtas ach tá scrios á dhéanamh ar na Gaeltachtaí. Ní thuigim an fáth atá leis seo. The Gaeltacht areas continue to decline and like most parts of rural Ireland, are experiencing emigration. They are the well of the Irish language. Irish has been spoken in these areas for the past 2,000 years. An Coimisinéir Teanga resigned in protest and I wish the new coimisinéir well.
Perhaps the Taoiseach could explain what the committee actually does given the state of the Gaeltacht areas at this time.
I was very pleased to attend two "dearg le fearg" days of protest on this issue, one in Dublin and one in Belfast, and what struck me was that the majority of young people demonstrated a great love for the language. There was a sea of colour of young people, beo agus bríomhar agus a lán amhrán á gcanadh acu. This enthusiasm is the future of the Irish language and should be actively supported, rather than destroyed, by the Government.
Does Deputy Higgins wish to add anything?
Sea, cinnte.
Tá ceist ag an Teachta Uí Uigínn freisin. Bhí ocht gcruinniú de fhochoistí an Rialtais agam inné, ón a hocht a chlog ar maidin go dtí leathuair tar éis a seacht sa tráthnóna. Lá fada a bhí ann. Ag an gcéad chruinniú eile de na fochoistí sin, beidh ceann a bhaineann le tábhacht na Gaeilge agus an obair atá ar siúl ansin.
Séard atá i gceist leis an bhfochoiste ná díospóireacht maidir le straitéis na Gaeilge agus nithe a éiríonn as sin a bhaineann le deacrachtaí atá ag muintir na Gaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre. Tá a fhios ag an Teachta gur toghadh Coimisinéir Teanga nua agus gur tugadh tacaíocht dó go mbeadh sé neamhspleách agus gur ghlac an Rialtas leis an gcomhairle a tugadh athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an bpost sin. Anois, tá an Coimisinéir Teanga neamhspleách. Rinneadh cinneadh freisin go mbeadh daoine ar fáil a bheadh in ann obair leis agus tá sin déanta.
Ba mhaith liom é seo a chur in iúl don Teachta Adams. Bíonn muid ag caint anseo anois agus arís faoi thábhacht na Gaeilge agus an méid cabhrach atá ar fáil, agus faoi bhás na Gaeltachtaí agus mar sin de. Ag an am céanna, mar pholaiteoirí a bhíonn ag dul ar fud na tíre casann muid ar dhaltaí, daoine óga agus mic léinn atá in ann fíor-Ghaeilge a labhairt de bharr go bhfuil siad ag freastal ar Ghaelscoileanna. Tá difríocht idir caighdeán an teanga labhartha ag na daltaí a fhreastalaíonn ar na scoileanna sin agus daltaí a fhreastalaíonn ar ghnáthscoil. B'fhéidir nach n-aontaíonn gach duine le sin, ach tá sin soiléir le feiceáil agus le cloisteáil.
I 2004, tugadh aitheantas oifigiúil don Ghaeilge ag Aontas na hEorpa. Bhí an tUacharánacht ar Aontas na hEorpa againn anuraidh, agus bhí cruinnithe de 61 comhairle againn i rith na hUachtaránachta sin, ach ní raibh Gaeilge le cloisteáil ach ag ceithre cinn de na cruinnithe sin. Freisin, tá díolúine againn i leith ár dteanga dúchais san Eoraip le fada an lá. Tá daoine ag rá gur cóir go mbeadh neart jabanna le fáil dá gcuirfí deireadh leis an díolúine sin agus dá mbeadh an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth teanga labhartha in institiúdí na hEorpa. I 2012, bhí comórtas oscailte ann d'aistritheoirí Gaeilge agus bhí 38 post le líonadh. Chuir 107 iarrthóir isteach ar na poist sin, ach ní raibh ach seacht gcinn déag díobh a raibh caighdeán sách ard acu leis an obair aistriúcháin a dhéanamh. Mar sin, ní raibh ach 17 duine fágtha sa chomórtas i ndiaidh na hiarratais a phlé. Táimid ag caint faoin gcóras seo le blianta fada agus cé go bhfuil aitheantas oifigiúil tugtha don teanga le blianta anuas, nílimid mar thír in ann an méid daoine a bhfuil caighdeán sách ard san aistriúchán acu a chomhlíonadh. Ó thaobh na straitéise atá leagtha amach ag an Aire Stáit agus obair an fhochoiste, táimid ag díriú ar líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge a mhéadú agus caighdeán na Gaeilge labhartha a ardú ar fud na tíre.
Gabhaim buíochas le tuismitheoirí, le múinteoirí bunscoile agus meánscoile, a dhéanann tréan iarracht an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus leis na daltaí a bhíonn ag freastal ar na Gaelscoileanna agus scoileanna samhraidh agus a labhraíonn an Ghaeilge taobh amuigh de na scoileanna sin mar ghnáth teanga. Cloisim mic léinn mar seo ag labhairt Gaeilge sna hollscoileanna, gan bhrú ar bith orthu. An meon atá acu ná gur cheart go mbeadh caighdeán ard Gaeilge le cloisteáil ar fud na hollscoileanna agus na hinstitiúdí ar fad. Sin an sórt córas atá i gceist a chur chun cinn. Aontaím go bhuil togha oibre déanta ag TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta agus mar sin de. Sílim go bhfuil níos mó Gaeilge ag muintir na tíre seo anois ná mar a bhí le fada agus ní bhíonn imní orthu an cúpla focal atá acu a labhairt amach go soiléir.
Ag an gcéad chruinniú eile den bhfochoiste, ardóidh mé na hábhair atá luaite ag an Teachta anseo.
Teastaíonn uaim é seo a rá. We have two languages in this country, English and Irish. Both are our languages, languages of the Irish people. A majority speaks English and a minority speaks and understands English and Irish. This is replicated in Dáil Éireann. It is not acceptable that there are just about half a dozen headphones in the Dáil at the moment through which people who do not understand Irish can follow a debate in Irish. As somebody who served in the European Parliament, I can say that it was quite normal for people from dozens of different countries to understand each other's language, because everybody wore their headphones. I appeal to the Ceann Comhairle, or whoever is responsible, to ensure a sufficient number of headphones is made available here. We have a person translating any Irish spoken in the House so that Deputies who do not understand Irish can follow the debate. Theastaigh uaim an méid sin a rá.
Tá an t-am an-ghairid, ach an cheist atá agam don Taoiseach ná, an bhfuil aon tuiscint ag an Rialtas ar cé chomh práinneach agus atá cás na Gaeltachta i láthair na huaire maidir le labhairt na teanga agus maidir le féidireacht do chlanna agus do dhaoine cur fúthu sa Ghaeltacht agus saol seasmhach a bheith acu sa Ghaeltacht, le jab, le teach agus a leithéid? An dtuigeann an Rialtas cé chomh géar agus atá an ghéarchéim eacnamaíochta ag cur isteach ar an nGaeltacht agus ar an nGaeilge, leis an oiread sin daoine óga atá ag imeacht ó na Gaeltachtaí agus an oiread sin daoine óga le Gaeilge ag imeacht ó ghach áit sa tír?
Maidir leis an bhfochoiste Rialtais a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge agus na Gaeltachtaí, cad iad na hathruithe a gcuirfidh an Rialtas chun cinn anois maidir leis na fadhbanna seo? Freisin, nach náireach an rud é nach féidir fós le lucht labhartha na Gaeilge, go háirithe muintir na Gaeltachta, glaoch a chur ar aon Roinn Stáit agus a bheith deimhin de gur féidir leo freagra a fháil as Gaeilge, nó duine éigin a fháil a labharfaidh Gaeilge leo? In ionad san, deirtear leo glaoch ar ais nó "call back in a few days". Nach bhfuil an ceart ag daoine a dteastaíonn uathu gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge go mbeadh duine éigin i ngach Roinn Stáit le labhairt leo ar an bpointe?
I agree completely with Deputy Higgins. It should not be deemed wrong, inferior or awkward for a person to wear headphones in this House to understand the translation of a discussion that is taking place as Gaeilge. I support the Deputy because such behaviour is a matter of normal course at European Union meetings where numerous languages are spoken.
Tá an fhadhb seo thar a bheith práinneach, ach tá sé thar a bheith deacair freisin. I Ros Dumhach, mar shampla, le 14 bliain anuas tá deacrachtaí ann ó thaobh gás na Coiribe a thabhairt isteach sa tír. Cé go raibh suas le 2,000 fir ag obair ansin le 15 bliain anuas, bhí deacrachtaí ann dóibh siúd a bhí ag iarraidh oibre a fháil agus ag iarraidh cur fúthu san áit sin. Cé go raibh an gás ag teacht isteach agus go dtiocfaidh sé isteach sa Ghaeltacht, tá deacrachtaí ann. Tá deacrachtaí freisin maidir le cúrsaí feirmeoireachta éisc i gCuan na Gaillimhe, áit a mbeadh neart jabanna ar fáil do mhuintir Chonamara, dá mbeadh na coinníollacha cearta ann.
Tá rud maith déanta ag an Rialtas, leis an €500 milliún a cuireadh ar fáil do sheirbhís leathanbhanda a sholáthar ar fud na tíre, seirbhís do na Gaeltachtaí san áireamh. Sílim go dtiocfaidh tairbhe as sin agus go mbeidh jabanna ar fáil le comhlachtaí beaga ar fud na Gaeltachtaí, chomh maith le gach áit eile. Mar shampla de sin, bhí mé ag caint leis an Aire Cumarsáide cúpla lá ó shin agus é suas in Oileán Árainn Mhór i nDún na nGall. Anois, tá tapúlacht 100 MBps ar fáil ansin agus tá daltaí ón mhórthír ag freastal ar an scoil ar an oileán anois, rud nár tharla le blianta anuas.
Tá rud maith déanta ag an Aire Stáit chomh maith, ó thaobh brú a chur ar oifigigh stáit go mbeadh duine in ann Gaeilge a labhairt i ngach Roinn, agus níos mó ná duine amháin más féidir. Chuaigh mise isteach in oifig LEO san iarthar le déanaí, agus bhí triúr ansin a bhí in ann Gaeilge a labhairt agus déileáil le gnáth daoine le Gaeilge a bheadh ag teacht isteach. Sin an obair atá ar siúl. Ní dóigh liom go mbeidh mise in ann gach uile deacracht a réiteach le linn réim an Rialtais seo, ach déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.