Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
51 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he made comments (details supplied) to an Irish language organisation in Spiddal in 2003, as reported in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33240/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in my reply to Question No. 190 on 25 November 2004, the purpose of the meeting to which the Deputy refers was to: explain the provisions of the Official Languages (Equality) Bill 2002, as it was then; to inform and update Irish language organisations of the progress of the legislation; and to provide a forum for such organisations to discuss and debate issues in relation to the legislation. The meeting also provided an opportunity for me, as Minister, to listen to and address some of the concerns and issues being expressed by these organisations regarding the proposed legislation.
In relation to the reference to an article in a newspaper, it is vital that the remarks I made at the meeting in An Spidéal are put in context. I spoke in Irish because the whole meeting was conducted in Irish and it would therefore have been strange if I had made any remarks at that meeting in English. At the meeting, I cautioned Irish language groups about having a blinkered view of the proposed Act. They were, as was understandable, looking for the Act to be a lot wider and a lot more immediate than it is. I was aware, however, of the need for the Bill to reflect a fair balance between the rights of Irish speakers, practicality, cost etc.
However, despite public consultation over five years and an effort to engage not only the Irish language media, but also the English language media in the debate, most of the debate involved those with a particular interest in the Irish language. This was not because of a lack of effort by my Department, but because very little interest was shown by the non-Irish language media.
I was aware at the time that a small section of our population would react negatively to any effort made to provide basic services in Irish to the Irish language community. It was to their possible reaction I was referring to in my remarks at the meeting.
