asked the Minister for Finance in what capacity linguistic and sociological personnel, recently advertised for in British newspapers, will be employed in the language revival; what categories of personnel will be employed; their number; and whether the Language Institute was consulted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Language Revival Personnel.
16.
I assume the question refers to the advertisement published by the Committee on Language Attitudes Research which I appointed last year, on the recommendation of Comhairle na Gaeilge, to arrange for research into current attitudes towards the Irish language and towards the efforts to restore it as a general means of communication.
The purpose of the advertisement was to invite inquiries from specialists interested in engaging in a research project. The project is still at the planning stage and it is not possible to say what categories of personnel will be employed, or their number.
There has been close liaison between the Committee on Language Attitudes Research and Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann, and further co-operation is envisaged as the reconstituted Institiúid is organised.
Could the Minister tell us what exactly he is up to in publishing these advertisements in various British papers and, for all I know, papers further overseas, in relation to these personnel? Is he saying seriously that he has no estimate as to the number of persons he is seeking?
The Deputy has asked two questions. As to what I am up to, I have told him. Of course, what was involved was announced publicly long ago—at the time of the setting up of this committee. Advertisements have appeared both here and abroad. What is involved is scientific research. As regards the number involved, the director of the research has been selected as was announced recently and until she has studied the problem with which she is faced and until such time as she has consulted with this body it is not possible to say precisely how many or what categories of people will be required.
Is this lady dealing with the problem from a long distance or will she be coming here to take up the position?
She will be coming here on a full-time basis during the course of the research.
Would the Minister agree that his responsibility for the Gaeltacht seems to be marked by a great concentration of investigations and surveys? Is there any particular reason he can offer for these? Apparently there are surveys on surveys at the moment. Exactly what is the Minister up to?
I know the Deputy does not like what I am up to——
I do not know what the Minister is up to so I cannot say what I like.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that I am dealing with this matter as Minister for Finance and not as Minister for the Gaeltacht. What was involved in the survey was announced in detail. I think this is a very admirable approach, designed to furnish scientific research information on which proposed changes in policy in regard to the Irish language may be based, based on accurate knowledge and not just on people's instincts.
Question No. 17.
This is a very important subject. We are dealing with the first official language here. Could I ask the Minister if the people who will examine scientifically have any particular qualifications? Could the Minister say if there will be any change in the present policy, which can only be described as a policy of neglect, towards the language, something that has become very clear during his period as Minister?
There is no foundation whatever for the allegation made by the Deputy. I presume that even he will appreciate that, if there is scientific research carried out and that research reveals facts on which more effective policies can be based, it would be a sensible thing for any Government to base their policies on the results of such research.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling Question No. 17, Deputy Lorcan Allen to the Minister for Lands. I am calling Question No. 17. This is developing into an argument. Deputy O'Leary should allow questions to proceed.