An Blascaod Mór National Historic Park Bill, 1989: Second Stage (Resumed).

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Mr. Fitzgerald

Is cúis áthais dom an deis a thapúchun labhairt ar an ócáid stairiúil atá ann inniu nuair atá an Teach athchóirithe á oscailt agus an Bille seo faoi chaomhnúagus an Bhlascaod Mhór á phlé againn. Cuireann sé áthas ar leith orm go raibh sé ar chumas an Taoisigh agus Aire na Gaeltachta teacht inár láthair inniu chun tús a chur leis an díospóireacht ar an mBille stairiúil seo. Maidir le hathchóiriú an Tí seo, tá a fhios againn uile go raibh géarghá le hoibreacha feabhsúcháin, agus tá anchreidiúint ag dul do gach duine a raibh páirt acu san obair mhór seo.

Mar Chathaoirleach ar an gComhchoiste Oireachtais don Ghaeilge fáiltím roimh an deascéal a bhí ag an gCathaoirleach mar gheall ar an gcóras aistriúcháin comhuaineach sa Teach seo. Iarraim ort, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, an cheist seo a scrúdú a luaithe agus is féidir, mar bheart an-phráinneach.

Is cúis áthais dom fáiltiú go fonnmhar roimh an mBille atá os ár gcomhair anseo inniu. Mar fhear a rugadh agus a tógadh i gCorca Dhuibhne tá bród orm go bhfuil an chéim dhearfach seo á glacadh chun an Blascaod Mór a chaomhnú do na glúine atá le teacht. Tá tábhacht thar cuimse leis an mBlascaod Mór ó thaobh na Gaeilge de, agus tá clú bainte amach ar fud an domhain ag an scríbhneoirí a raibh cónaí orthu ar an oileán — Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers agus Muiris Ó Súilleabháin go príomha. Caithfear trácht a dhéanamh freisin ar na cuairteoirí cáiliúla a tháinig agus a scríobh faoin oileán, Robin Flower agus Seoirse Mac Thomáis ach go háirithe. Tá sé mar phríomhchuspóir don Bhille seo go bhféadfar gabháltas áirithe ar an oilleán a cheannach go héigeantach lena fhorbairt mar Pháirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil. Leis an mBille seo, áfach, beidh suaimhneas intinne ag muintir na háite, ó tharla nach mbeidh orthu siúd a gcuid talún a dhíol i gcoinne a dtola. Ina theannta sin beidh sé mar chuspóirí oidhreacht an Bhlascaoid Mhóir a chaomhnú agus an áit a riaradh agus a chothú. Beidh cúram iomlán ar Aire na Gaeltachta i gcomhar le hOifig na nOibreacha Poiblí amach anseo. Ach feictear dom go bhféadfar cumhachtaí agus dualgas ina thaobh a leagan at Fhondúireacht an Bhlascaoid. Is eagras fíorthábhachtach í an fhondúireacht, agus is cúis áthais dom go raibh an chumas an Chomhchoiste don Gheailge gach comhoibriú a bhféadfaimis a thabhairt dóibh. Thugamar éisteacht do ionadaithe ón gcoiste náisiúnta anseo i dTeach Laighean ar 3 Feabhra 1988, agus bhí sé de phribhléid againn bualadh le hionadaithe ón gcoiste áitiúil i nDún Chaoin ar 20 Bealtaine 1988. Táan-chreidiúint ag dul don fhondúireacht as ucht na hoibre atá déanta acu.

Bhí sí mar aidhm i gcónaí ag an bhfondúireacht go rithfí reachtaíocht chuí d'fhonn an Blascaod Mór a chaomhnú. Thóg sé tamall chun an reachtaíocht sin a ullmhú agus tá an Bille seo os ár gcomhair anois. Gúim gach rath ar an mBille agus táim deimhin de go mbeidh tacaíocht le fáil dó ó gach taobh den Teach seo. Nuair a bhuail an Comhchoiste don Ghaeilge leis na hionadaithe ó Fhondúireacht an Bhlascaoid gheall na comhaltaí ó gach páirtí a gcuid tacaíochta d'aidhmeanna an eagrais sin. Táimid céim eile ar aghaidh ar an mbóthar anois agus táim dóchasach go mbeidh an tácaíocht forleathan a taispéanadh roimhe seo ar fáil go flúirseach arís anois.

It is a great privilege for me to address the House on this historic occasion when the refurbished Chamber is being reopened and when this important debate regarding the Great Blasket Island is taking place. I am particularly pleased that the Taoiseach and Minister for the Gaeltacht is present for the debate on this important matter.

Much work has been carried out in refurbishing this House. I welcome the Cathaoirleach's statement that simultaneous translation equipment will be installed in this House at the end of the year. It is on occasions such as this that an interpretation facility is very important. I ask you arís, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, to look into the matter urgently.

This is a very special occasion when we are discussing a Bill to provide for the establishment and maintenance of An Blascaod Mór as a national historic park. The history of this island goes back over many centuries and of all the Irish islands it is probably the best known. The literary heritage of the island is probably unique in modern times. As an tOileánach, Tomás Ó Criomhthain said, "people such as those who lived on the island will not be seen again."

The initial discussion of this Bill today is probably the most important occasion in the life of An Blascaod Mór since it was evacuated by the last remaining inhabitants on 17 November 1953. It can be said, of course, that with the introduction of this Bill a whole new lease of life awaits An Blascaod Mór as a national historic park.

As chairman of the Joint Committee on the Irish Language I am pleased that we were able to give every possible assistance to the work of Fondúireacht an Bhlascaoid, the Blasket Islands Foundation. We met with the national committee of the foundation in Leinster House, in February 1988, and with a local committee in May 1988 in Dun Chaoin. At these meetings all-party support was expressed for the objectives of the foundation. I believe that such support will manifest itself again today in relation to this Bill.

The Bill before us contains many important provisions. The limited time available to me will not permit me to mention all of them. One point which is vital is that the former islanders or descendants of islanders will be exempt from the provisions of the Bill relating to the compulsory acquisition of lands on the Great Blaskets. This will be a source of great relief to these people because the fear of losing their property was the principal issue which was raised with the members of the Joint Committee. This fear was not unreasonable and I am glad that the matter has been resolved satisfactorily.

Faoi mar a dúirt mé cheana is trua go mór nach bhfuil níos mó ama ar fáil do Chomhaltaí an Tí inniu maidir leis an mBille seo, ach sin mar atá an scéal. Ba mhaith liom deireadh a chur le mo phíosa cainte, mar sin, leis an sliocht seo a leanas as "An tOileánach" le Tomás Ó Criomhthain:

Scríobhas go mionchruinn ar a lán dár gcúrsaí d'fhonn go mbeadh cuimhne i bpoll éigin orthu agus thugas iarracht ar mheon na ndaoine a bhí í mo thimpeall a cur síos chun go mbeadh a dtuairisc inár ndiaidh, mar ná beidh ár leithéidí arís ann."

Beidh cuimhne againn go deo ar laocha an Bhlascaoid agus cuirfidh Páirc Náisiúnta Stairiúil An Bhlascaoid Mhóir lena gclú agus lena gcáil. Molaim an Bille.

Mr. J. O'Toole

It has been agreed that we share our time, and I intend sharing my time with Senators Ryan and Murphy, in that order, three minutes each. Cuireann sé as dom go mór nach bhfuil córas aistriúcháin anseo inniu, mar cuireann sé isteach go mór orainne. B'fhearr linn labhairt trí Ghaeilge ach, we have to repeat everything in English. In all fairness we should have double the time to say it. Nílimse sásta chun mé féin a chur, ar chaoi, faoi mhíbhuntáiste, agus mar gheall air sin táim chun an méid atá le rá agam a rá trí Bhéarla.

It bothers me to have to do that. In three minutes I am not prepared to lose so much time by saying every thing on the double. It would be ungenerous to let this occasion go by without marking the Taoiseach's personal interest in the Blasket Islands and also to welcome the fact that he has chosen to introduce this legislation on this important day for the Seanad. I welcome it.

I welcome it not just as a fellow Senator from Corca Dhuibhne, as my colleague Senator Tom Fitzgerald also is, but as somebody who went to school and shared a class and, indeed, a desk with fellow classmates from the last generation of Blasket Islanders to be born on the island, as somebody who is obviously a native of Corca Dhuibhne, a regular visitor to the Blasket Islands a member of Fondúireacht na Blascaod and also an Oireachtas Member for the Kingdom, to which the Taoiseach referred in his speech.

I have also been a student of the literature and I have yet to find anybody who has been to the islands who has not become a lover of the islands, therefore, it is with a very clear, vested interest that I stand to support this Bill today. I resent deeply interference, in the interests of private property, in the implementation of what is set out in this Bill. It should be resisted. It is not acceptable and it is an insult to the people of west Kerry.

I want to make three simple, brief points on it. First of all, we should record our thanks to Fondúireacht na Blascaoid. This has already been done by the Taoiseach. This group came together and the foundation was launched simultaneously in Dublin and Kerry in 1986, for the sake of the preservation of the Blasket Islands and who today must see the culmination of their efforts, with the support of all the parties and all the Members of this House. The unique culture of the islands has been charted and is available to us in the literature of the islands, unique in the sense of people with a culture which was fast vanishing, which was changing from an underdeveloped culture into the 20th century, and the fact that it is recorded in their own language, by themselves, is unique.

I also welcome the protection of the environment which will be included in this Bill. The tourist value to a disadvantaged Gaeltacht area is very much appreciated. The fact of bringing high value tourists into the area will be welcome. It is a progressive measure. It is a measure for which the Government deserve credit and it is something that should have the support of everybody in Corca Dhuibhne.

Mr. B. Ryan

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach. Ní labhróidh mé as Béarla, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, níor labhraíos as Béarla riamh le muintir Chorca Dhuibhne agus is cuma liom faoi nuachtáin nó aon rud eile, nílim chun Béarla a úsáid faoi cheist an Bhlascaoid.

Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille agus roimh an bhfealsúnacht atá taobh thiar de. Déanaim comhghairdeas le Fondúireacht na mBlascaod as an iarracht iontach atá déanta acu, as an bpíosa oibre atá déanta acu ar son na mBlascaod agus ar son na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta agus ar son Chorca Dhuibhne. Is iontach an rud é a mhéad atá déanta acu le trí bliana anuas, agus tá mé cinnte má tá riachtanais eile mar a luaigh an Seanadóir Manning faoi airgead go mbeidh Fondúireacht na mBlascaod ábalta an cheist sin a réiteach chomh maith. Tá an fuinneamh acu. Tá an éifeacht acu. Tá an spiorad acu, agus tá spiorad Chorca Dhuibhne a mhúscailt, agus sin spiorad nach féidir a ghéilleadh nó nach féidir a chur faoi chois, tá mé cinnte. Mar dhuine a bhfuil cuid de mo chroí anois i gCorca Dhuibhne cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille.

Professor Murphy

Ba mhaith liomsa chomh maith fáilte a chur roimh an mBille, agus tréaslaím an gnó ar fad le muintir na fondúireachta. Bhíos féin ar dhuine de na patrúin i dtosach báire, cé gur beag a dheineas ina dhiaidh sin. Tá an-áthas orm inniu go bhfuil a saothar cúitithe le muintir na fondúireachta. Bheidís molta dá mbeimis go léir inár dtost, agus níor dheineadar aon dá leath dá ndícheall le bliain nó dhó anuas. Ag an bpointe seo, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, níl ach pointe amháin le déanamh agam. Is é sin le rá, an imní a chuir an Seanadóir Manning in iúl. Ba maith liomsa tagairt chomh maith do cheist a bhí ag Teachta Dála ar maidin. Dhein Teachta Dála tagairt do dheacrachtaí Bunreachtúla a d'fhéadfadh a bheith ag baint leis an mBille. Ba mhaith liom go míneodh an Taoiseach cad a bhí i gceist ansin.

In welcoming the Bill I also welcome the principle of the State intervening to make a national park available. I note with interest the Taoiseach's offer to encourage similar situations where circumstances warrant it in other communities. I now suggest to him as a member of the governing body of University College, Cork, that the State should also take over Fota and remove us from a great deal of acrimony because of the situation there. It is an admirable principle that the State should be putting this historic island at our disposal. I would like to adopt the old historic maxim of the land for the people and proclaim that we should have the islands for the people. The Taoiseach might not welcome that fully.

The Irish language and culture and the physical and cultural beauty of the Blasket Islands should be available to all the people of Ireland. One of the troubles with whole Gaelic revival was that it never meant anything to the urban working class in particular. Will this Bill mean that ordinary working class families from Tallaght and from Gurranabraher will be able to savour the beauty of their birthright? Will they be able to stand on the top of the Blasket Island and view that magnificent landscape or will it continue to be the privilege of those of us who are in effect an elite? The whole language and cultural movement has been ruined by this kind of elitism. Senator Manning referred to financial difficulties. I want to see a stage ahead, some kind of imaginative plan that will perhaps subsidise public transport or whatever, but let the people in the full sense of that word enter into their birthright.

Professor Eogan

Tá fonn ormsa tacú go láidir leis an mBille seo. Go háirithe, ba mhaith liom moladh a thabhairt don spéis agus don tacaíocht atá léirithe ag an Taoiseach don smaoineamh seo gur cheart an Blascaod Mór a thoirbirt don náisiún. Is iontach go deo an pháirt atá imeartha ag na Blascaodaí i saol cultúrtha na tíre le céad bliain anuas. Is féidir a rá gur siombail ar dhúchas na hÉireann an cúinne clúiteach seo den tír. Tá ceannródaíocht tugtha ag muintir an Bhlascaoid do scríbhneoirí na Gaeilge, agus tá an oidhreacht bhéaloidis chomh saibhir acu is go bhfuil scoláirí ag teacht ó chian is ó chóngar chucu de shíor. Is dóibh, thar aon dream eile, atá an chreidiúint ag dul as a maireann den Ghaeilge i gCúige Mumhan agus i gcuid mhaith eile den tír. Is léir go bhfuil cultúr na mBlascaodaí mar bhuntobar ag athbheochaint na Gaeilge lenár linn. Tá áilleacht nádúrtha an cheantair molta dá mbeinnse im thost, agus tá sé riachtanach go ndéanfaí gach is féidir chun an áit sin a fhorbairt, ar mhaithe lenár gcultúr i gcoitinne a chur faoi bhláth.

It is indeed a great pleasure and privilege for me to have this opportunity of contributing to this debate on the Blasket Islands. My interest in the Blaskets goes back for a long time. Perhaps it is a curious thing to say, but this was mainly brought about by discovering, through the Roddy the Rover column in The Irish Press, that somebody called Robin Flower had written a marvellous book called the Western Island. As soon as possible I bought the book and I was enthralled by the people and the places it described. Incidentally, I still refer to and re-read this book with as great an interest as I did on the first day. Furthermore, reading about the Blaskets contributed to the development in me of an interest in what Flower, on another occasion, called the Irish tradition.

An Blascaod Mór is much greater than something that provides an interest for an individual. It is the concern of all of us. As the Bill states: "The purpose of the Act is to provide for the establishment of a national historic park in the interests of the common good". In view of the contributions that its people have made to Irish literature and to the Irish tradition generally, as well as its natural beauty, it is essential that contemporary and future Irish society will maintain it. It is unthinkable that the island should fall into the type of ownership that would exploit it in a manner totally alien to its background. Accordingly, I am pleased that the Bill provides for the acquisition of lands by the Commissioners of Public Works. Furthermore, it is likewise important that proper provision be made for the care, control and maintenance of the park.

In this regard I welcome the provision which allows the making of by-laws to ensure that the park is adequately preserved and developed. Regarding the latter, I trust that this will be done in a sensitive way in order to maintain the traditional character of the islands but having visited most of the national parks whch are under the care of the Commisioners of Public Works I am sure that they will do an excellent job, in co-operation with the foundation.

I have studied with particular interest section 2, which states that the park will preserve and demonstrate the historic, heritage, culture, traditions and values of the island and that the Commissioners, in performing their functions, will, amongst other things, foster and promote the park as a place of culture and education, leisure and recreation. There are other important functions, especially those which allow for the fostering and promotion of the Irish language, an awareness of and pride in the national heritage, culture, folklore and values of the island and its inhabitants.

We need a genuine rejuvenation of our culture. Centering such an event on a place like An Blascaod Mór is very sensible because in this instance we see most clearly the issues involved in planning our cultural future. Too often in Ireland we regard different aspects of our social life as conflicting with each other. Here again, the Blasket experience will, I believe, demonstrate that such things as the development of the local economy, of social infrastructure, tourism and the strengthening and retention of our language cross-fertilise and actually promote each other. Cultural tourism will increase in importance in the immediate future and we must ensure that what we have to offer will reflect our respect for the intelligence and the sound judgment of our tourists.

We have in many ways a unique cultural experience in Ireland in that the old world has lived on in the new. For that reason a place like the Great Blasket is rightly regarded as one of the most important parts of Europe by those who seek the common European inheritance. This has long been recognised. All the major cultural researchers who first visited the Blasket Islands, as the Taoiseach has already pointed out, came from abroad. These were people such as Norwegian linguist, Marstrander, the Swedish folklorist, Von Sydow, the French scholar, Marie Sjoestedt and, of course, the Englishman, Robin Flower, whom I already mentioned.

The international interest in the Blaskets continues. Just last week yet another translation of An tOileanach was published in Switzerland. This international interest is of great significance but of greater importance is the fact that the Irish people themselves rely to a considerable extent on that area of west Kerry, of which the Blaskets form a part, for the preservation of our own language and culture. Tomás O Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, Muiris Ó Suilleabháin and others are household names in Ireland, while the folklore heritage of the island has been described by scholars, such as Professor Bo Almquist, as being of extraordinary richness in a European, indeed in a worldwide, context. Unfortunately, most of this remains as yet unpublished, so there may well be another An tOileanach hidden amongst it.

The literary and related works of the Blasket islanders bear important witness to the local sense of piatas which, in other countries, has been creatively expressed by writers such as the Russian, Maxim Gorki or the American, Walt Whitman. As was the case with, say, Tomás Ó Criomhthain, they too were celebrating the essence of the human spirit as manifest in the lives of the ordinary people.

On a broader front, one can regard An Blascaod Mór as one of the chief fountainheads of our current civilisation, but this park must not be looked upon as a park of remembrance to a vanished community and way of life. "Ní bheidh ar leithéidí arís ann", a duirt Tomás Ó Criomhthain, ach cinntimis leis an mBille seo go mbeidh leithéid an chultúir seo beo, go brách na breithe.

Debate adjourned.

Seanad Éireann debate - Wednesday, 10 May 1989