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Disappointed that the Taoiseach did not leave responsibility for the Gaeltacht with a Senior Minister only as requested - but now that a Senior Minister and a Minister of State, who both have Irish, have been appointed, it’s time to act

Conradh na Gaeilge expects the Senior Minister and the Minister of State to act now to achieve fairness for the funding of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, for Irish speakers rights and for the status of the language.

Although it is not the complete arrangement that Conradh na Gaeilge was campaigning for and we are disappointed with that, we are looking forward to working with the Senior Minister, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State & Government Chief Whip, Dara Calleary, who were appointed in the last few days are fluent in the language and have committed to the promotion of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.

Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaeilge said: 

“The appointment of Catherine Martin as a Senior Minister gave both the Gaeltacht and Irish speaking communities a new sense of hope but it is vitally important that both the influence and the power of a Senior Minister guides and informs decisions made concerning the language. Conradh na Gaeilge wishes Dara Calleary, who was appointed last night as the Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and Sport, every success in the future. It is imperative that both ministers work together and that the duty of protecting and promoting both the Gaeltacht and the Irish language, in general, is not delegated as has been the case since 2011.

Julian de Spáinn, General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, said:

"The Ministers will be able to act together immediately to achieve fairness for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht by strengthening the Official Languages ​​Bill with target dates for the most important provisions in the bill and ensuring adequate funding is provided for Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta, which had not been done since 2008, as a matter of urgency, ”

Conradh na Gaeilge is seeking a meeting with the two Ministers in the near future about these matters, to discuss the programme for Government, the crises in the Gaeltacht - such as the recently approved housing development in Rath Cairn, and other issues. Conradh na Gaeilge would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who took part in the #AireSinsearach #Anois campaign.

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.