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Seán Ó Cuirreáin
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Nótaí Cainte; An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin ag an Fhochoiste Oireachtais faoin Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, 23 Eanáir 2014, 2.15pm.
A chathaoirligh agus a dhaoine uaisle,
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt daoibh as bhur gcuireadh teacht in bhur láthair inniu. Nuair a labhair mé le comhchoiste eile de chuid Thithe an Oireachtais i dtús na míosa seo caite, níor mheas mé go mbeinn ar ais anseo arís inniu ach is mór an onóir agus an phribhléid dom bhur gcuireadh a fháil. D’fhógair mé anseo i dtús mhí na Nollag go raibh cinneadh déanta agam seasamh siar ó mo cheapachán mar Choimisinéir Teanga mí ón lá inniu, ar an 23 Feabhra, tráth a mbeidh 10 mbliana caite agam i mbun chúraimí na hOifige sin. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú le mo bhuíochas ó chroí a thabhairt do gach duine a rinne teagmháil liom ó shin; is mór agam na teachtaireachtaí dea-mhéine ar fad a tháinig chugam go háitiúil, go náisiúnta agus go hidirnáisiúnta.
Sula ndírím ar an phríomhábhar cainte anseo inniu – an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge – ba mhaith liom na cúiseanna a ndearna mé an cinneadh seasamh siar ó bheith i mo Choimisinéir Teanga a chur faoi bhur mbráid. Go bunúsach, thuig mé i mo chroí istigh gur beag eile a d’fhéadfainn a bhaint amach go pearsanta i dtaca le cearta teanga phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta sa tréimhse ama dhá bhliain a bheadh fágtha agam sa phost.
Imeallú na teanga
Creidim go bhfuil an teanga á ruaigeadh ar leataobh go leanúnach chuig imeall na sochaí, agus áirím anseo cuid mhaith den riarachán poiblí. Ní chreidim ar chor ar bith gur ar an aicme pholaitiúil is mó atá an locht ina leith seo ach feictear dom, cé go bhfuil daoine sa státchóras a thacaíonn go láidir leis an Ghaeilge, go bhfuil fórsaí níos láidre agus níos forleithne fós ann ar cuma leo ann nó as dár dteanga náisiúnta.
Tá dul chun cinn áirithe déanta le 10 mbliana anuas ó tháinig Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm – go speisialta maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge ar chomharthaíocht phoiblí, i stáiseanóireacht agus i bhfoilseacháin éagsúla. Tá méadú ar an tuiscint ar chearta teanga agus tá an Oifig s’againne ann mar thaca aige sin.
Ach tá teorannú suntasach déanta ar an dul chun cinn a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist de bharr na faillí i bhfeidhmiú chóras na scéimeanna teanga faoin Acht. Ní chreidim go bhfuil aon seans ann go n-éireoidh leis an chóras nua atá beartaithe méadú a chur ar líon na státseirbhíseach le Gaeilge. Níltear sásta barántas a thabhairt go mbeidh seirbhísí stáit á soláthar i nGaeilge do phobal na Gaeltachta gan cheist gan choinníoll, rud a chiallaíonn go bhfuil an státchóras le leanúint de bheith ag rá le pobal na Gaeltachta: “Labhraígí Gaeilge le chéile ach ná labhraígí linne í”. Tá breis agus dhá bhliain caite i mbun athbhreithniú ar an Acht Teanga ach, fós féin, níl an chéad chéim leis an Acht a leasú, is é sin, foilsiú ‘chinn an bhille’, tógtha fós. Fógraíodh an tseachtain seo caite gur as seo go samhradh an sprioc nua d’fhoilsiú na leasuithe. Rinneadh cinneadh m’Oifig a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman i ngan fhios dom féin agus don Ombudsman ag an am, ach arís agus níos mó ná dhá bhliain imithe, níl aon mhionsonraí ar fáil go poiblí faoina bhfuil molta ná faoin bhealach a cheaptar a n-oibreodh sé. Fógraíodh le linn na seachtaine seo caite go mbeadh an cónascadh sin déanta roimh Mheán Fómhair na bliana seo.
Creidim nár tugadh don Oifig riamh na hacmhainní riachtanacha lena cúraimí reachtúla a chomhlíonadh go cuí agus go hiomlán.
Don té a chreideann gur cheart go mbeadh cearta teanga ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, is tréimhse í seo atá lán le héiginnteacht. Mheas mé riamh nárbh fhéidir nó nár cheart breathnú ar an tacaíocht a theastaíonn don Ghaeilge i státchóras na tíre seo mar ábhar roghnach breise. Is buanchearta iad cearta teanga; ní lamháltais ná pribhléidí iad a thugtar le linn aimsir na flúirse.
Mura féidir leis an Stát dearbhú a thabhairt i dtac a le húsáid na Gaeilge i mbun cumarsáide le pobal na Gaeltachta gan cheist, gan choinníoll agus a chinntiú go mbeidh dóthain foirne le cumas sa Ghaeilge sa chóras riaracháin phoiblí nuair a bheas an tAcht Teanga á leasú, creidim go dtuigfear ansin gur cur i gcéill a bheas ann.
An rogha a bhí agam ná seasamh siar ó mo cheapachán mar Choimisinéir Teanga ar bhonn prionsabail le haird a dhíriú ar na ceisteanna seo nó leanúint orm agus, ar an bhealach sin, a bheith páirteach sa chur i gcéill. Creidim go láidir i mo chroí istigh go ndearna mé an rogha cheart. Tá tús curtha anois le próiseas le Coimisinéir úr a cheapadh agus guím gach rath agus beannacht ar cibé duine a bheas mar chomharba agam.
An Straitéis
Tuigim go bhfuil fócas ar leith agaibhse mar Fhochoiste ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil fonn oraibh go ndíreoinn cuid áirithe de mo chuid cainte ar an ábhar sin inniu.
Ghlac mé páirt ghníomhach in ullmhú na Straitéise – d’fhoilsigh mé moltaí ar an ábhar agus chas mé leis an ghrúpa saineolaithe idirnáisiúnta a bhí curtha le chéile le comhairle a sholáthar i dtaca le dréachtú na Straitéise féin.
Dúirt mé – agus mé ag seoladh Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge sa bhliain 2008 – go bhféadfadh feidhmiú na Straitéise a bheith ar na gníomhartha is tábhachtaí do thodhchaí na teanga ó bunaíodh an Stát. Ach thug mé an rabhadh an-soiléir seo fosta ag an am: “Tá sé tábhachtach nach ligfimis i ndearmad, áfach, nach fiú tráithnín féir aon straitéis mura gcuirtear i bhfeidhm í. Caithfidh aontú agus foilsiú na straitéise a bheith ina thús ar aistear nua seachas ina cheann scríbe.”
Dúirt mé an bhliain ina dhiaidh sin go mbeadh sé riachtanach go gcuirfí tús éifeachtach agus gasta le cur i bhfeidhm iomlán na Straitéise agus mura raibh sin le tarlú, agus go rabhthas le caitheamh léi mar a tharla le hiliomad tuarascálach a inmholta roimhe sin, go mb’fhearr dá gcaithfí i leataobh láithreach í ar mhaithe le tuilleadh soiniciúlachta a sheachaint. Beart de réir briathra a theastaigh in áit focail mhilse, a dúirt mé ag an am.
An bhfuil, mar sin, an Straitéis á cur i bhfeidhm? Níl a fhios agamsa. Agus, i gcead daoibh mar Fhochoiste, ní shílim go bhfuil a fhios agaibhse ach an oiread mar nach bhfuil aon iniúchadh ná léirmheastóireacht neamhspleách á dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú na Straitéise.
Féin-mheastóireacht amháin atá i gceist agus ón taithí atá agamsa agus ag m’Oifig le 10 mbliana anuas i mbun iniúchadh ar scéimeanna teanga na n-eagras Stáit, is beag tábhacht nó luach atá le cur i ndeireadh na dála ar fhéin-mheastóireacht. In aon réimse den saol is deacair iontaofacht a chur i léirmheas ó pháirtithe leasmhara, ach os a choinne sin, tá ríthábhacht le fianaise atá bunaithe ar thaighde. Tá rud eile foghlamtha againn in imeacht na mblianta – go bhfuil bunús leis an fhrása “what gets measured, gets done!” Mura bhfuil iniúchadh agus meastóireacht neamhspleách á dhéanamh, ní chreidim gur féidir le haon duine barántas a thabhairt faoin fheidhmiú.
Ach is féidir le duine tuairim a bheith aige: seo ceann ó shaineolaí amháin.
Bhí Seosamh Mac Donnacha as Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh ar dhuine d’údair an taighde (le Conchúr Ó Giollagáin) ar a dtugtar An Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht – an saothar taighde a spreag an Straitéis.
Agus é ag labhairt ag Tóstal na Gaeilge anuraidh, dúirt sé nach ann don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a thuilleadh. “Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil cáipéis againn ar a dtugann muid an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030. Ach ní ionann cáipéis agus Straitéis. Níl Straitéis bheo againn atá á cur i bhfeidhm ar bhealach seasmhach córasach...
Bhí an méid seo le rá ag saineolaí eile, an Dr John Walsh, in eagrán na míosa seo den iris Comhar: “Is geall le corpán an Straitéis 20 Bliain anois agus tá an Ghaeilge níos imeallaí ná riamh sa státseirbhís”.
Cáipéis mharbh
“Cáipéis mharbh” a thug Seosamh Mac Donnacha ar an Straitéis agus dúirt sé freisin nach ann do Roinn na Gaeltachta níos mó –
Léirmheas duairc is ea é sin ach tá eagla orm, faraor, go bhfuil cuid mhór de phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a d’aontódh leis. Dúirt an scríbhneoir, Seosamh Mac Grianna, tráth go mbíonn an fhírinne searbh: “…ní searbh atá sí ach garbh agus sin an fáth a seachantar í.”
Creidim féin, má tá rath le bheith air, gur gá go mbeadh an díospóireacht seo bunaithe ar an fhírinne, iomlán na fírinne agus an fhírinne amháin. Níor mhaith liom a bheith diúltach faoi seo ach creidim gur cheart i gcónaí tosú leis an staid réalaíoch seachas le ródhóchas bréige gan chúis. Níl ról ar bith ag grúpsmaointeoireacht i ngnó chomh tábhachtach le beatha teanga.
Bunaithe ar fhigiúirí an daonáirimh ón bhliain 2002, dúradh in 2007 nach raibh fágtha ach idir 15-20 bliain ag an Ghaeilge mar phríomhtheanga bheo an phobail sna ceantair Ghaeltachta is láidre a bhí fágtha. Ar ndóigh, mairfidh sí mar theanga agus níor saolaíodh fós an cainteoir dúchais deireanach. Ach is mór go deo idir sin agus í a bheith in uachtar mar theanga bheo an phobail agus a bheith á cur ar aghaidh ó ghlúin go glúin gan bhriseadh gan bhearna. Mar dhuine ar cás leis todhchaí na teanga agus na Gaeltachta agus mar dhuine a bhfuil formhór mór a shaoil caite aige ina chónaí sa Ghaeltacht, ní léir domsa go bhfuil mórán gníomhartha suntasacha ná céimeanna praiticiúla le dealramh tógtha ar an talamh le dul i ngleic le scála na géarchéime teanga sa Ghaeltacht ó foilsíodh an rabhadh rí-shoiléir sin seacht mbliana ó shin.
Sin dearcadh spéisiúil ó fhear misniúil a bhí i gcroílár an státchórais.
Gealladh sa Straitéis go mbunófaí córais le méadú a chur ar fhoireann na seirbhíse poiblí atá in ann feidhmiú i nGaeilge. Thagair mé níos túisce don chóras nua le cur i bhfeidhm ar bhonn píolótach ach feictear dom gur leor a rá libh gur léirigh taighde atá déanta dúinn ar fhigiúirí oifigiúla ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna go dtógfadh an córas nua sin, dá gcuirfí i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus ar an bhealach is dearfaí é, thart ar 28 mbliana le líon na foirne riaracháin sa Roinn sin le líofacht i nGaeilge a dhúbailt ón 1½% atá ann faoi láthair go dtí 3%.
Gealladh freisin ar leathanach 45 den Straitéis go sonródh scéimeanna teanga amach anseo na poist laistigh d’eagraíocht a mbeadh cumas sa Ghaeilge riachtanach dóibh. Foilsíodh an Straitéis i mí na Nollag 2010 – sin breis agus trí bliana ó shin. Daingníodh 26 scéim teanga nua sna trí bliana ó shin agus go dtí seo níl oiread agus post amháin i scéim teanga amháin sonraithe go cinnte mar phost a mbeadh cumas sa Ghaeilge riachtanach lena aghaidh!
Ní miste a lua freisin go bhfuil oifigigh Ghaeilge nó daoine le cúram na teanga orthu ainmnithe ag na Ranna Rialtais éagsúla le freagracht a ghlacadh as feidhmiú an Achta Teanga agus as gníomhú mar theagmhálaithe le m’Oifigse. Daoine cumasacha iad ar fad a oibríonn go dúthrachtach ach níl ach seisear as na sé dhuine dhéag (16) atá i gceist a bhfuil Gaeilge acu; tá deichniúir de na hoifigigh sin a bhfuil cúram na teanga orthu sna Ranna Rialtais nach bhfuil aon Ghaeilge acu féin.
Fógraíodh sraith iomlán de phleananna agus de bheartais nua d’athchóiriú an státchórais an tseachtain seo caite; go bhfios dom ní luaitear na focail ‘teanga’, ‘Gaeilge’ ná ‘Gaeltacht’ oiread agus uair amháin sna cáipéisí sin.
Oideachas
Tá béim an-mhór sa Straitéis ar an Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais. Agus fáiltím roimh chinneadh na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an soláthar oideachais sa Ghaeltacht.
Ach, ag an am chéanna, cuireann sé imní mo chroí orm nuair a smaoiním ar an dearcadh oifigiúil a léirigh an Roinn chéanna le gairid le linn dhá imscrúdú fhoirmiúla a bhí ar siúl ag m’Oifig agus a bhain le gnéithe den oideachas sa Ghaeltacht.
I gcás amháin rinne bunscoil Ghaeltachta gearán go raibh treoir á tabhairt ag an Roinn Oideachais dóibh múinteoir a cheapadh ó phainéal ar a raibh farasbarr múinteoirí, cé gur chreid na múinteoirí sin agus údaráis na scoile nach raibh dóthain Gaeilge ag aon duine acu le teagasc i scoil Ghaeltachta.
Seo cúpla sampla fánach de na ríomhphoist a sheol na múinteoirí ón phainéal chuig údaráis na scoile:
I gcás eile, rinne an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna argóintí dlíthiúla agus praiticiúla fosta nach raibh dualgas uirthi rogha a chur ar fáil le go bhféadfaí ábhair an churaclaim a theagasc trí Ghaeilge go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta do dhaltaí scoile as ceann de na ceantair Ghaeltachta is láidre atá fágtha i dTír Chonaill. Tá sruth Gaeilge sa scoil go leibhéal an Teastais Shóisearaigh ach is beag duine a roghnaíonn é mar go mbeadh ar na daltaí a dteanga a athrú don dá bhliain is tábhachtaí – blianta na hArdteistiméireachta. Léirigh an t-imscrúdú a rinne m’Oifig go raibh diúltú na Roinne oideachas trí Ghaeilge go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta a sholáthar do dhaltaí Gaeltachta ag teacht salach ar a cuid dualgas faoin dlí agus, arís, tá moltaí déanta agam leis an scéal a leigheas.
Tá mé cinnte go dtuigfidh sibh m’imní faoi ghné an oideachais den Straitéis i bhfianaise na gcásanna sin.
Ach, ar ndóigh, is í bun agus barr na faidhbe againn nach bhfuil aon cheangal ceart déanta againn idir foghlaim agus úsáid na Gaeilge sa tír seo. Cuireann an Stát dualgas ar dhaltaí an teanga a fhoghlaim ach is minic ina dhiaidh sin a chuireann an Stát céanna cosc nó bac ar na daoine sin an teanga a úsáid ina ngnóthaí oifigiúla. Tá dícheangal nó cliseadh céille i gceist ansin.
Páirtithe leasmhara
Thrácht mé níos túisce ar an easpa monatóireacht neamhspleách atá le déanamh ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá iarrachtaí á ndéanamh le tamall a éileamh go n-aithneofaí go hoifigiúil pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta mar pháirtithe leasmhara trí ról a thabhairt dóibh i stiúradh na Straitéise 20 Bliain – ach ar chúis éigin tá sin á dhiúltú dóibh ag an státchóras. Is deacair sin a chreidiúint agus meabhraím arís nach féidir reachtaíocht shóisialta a chur i bhfeidhm mura bhfuil muinín agus tacaíocht an phobail i gcoitinne aici.
Tá neart dordfhocal le cloisteáil ceart go leor faoi choistí idir-rannacha, cainteanna déthaobhacha agus pleananna forfheidhmithe ach an ionann sin agus gníomhartha praiticiúla, dearfacha? Dúisíonn sé i m’intinn an scéal is deireanaí atá nochta ag an iriseoir Breandán Delap ó chomhaid na Cartlainne Náisiúnta faoin Riail 30 Bliain. D’aimsigh sé na cáipéisí oifigiúla a bhain leis an Phlean Gníomhaíochta Ceithre Bliana don Ghaeilge a d’fhoilsigh an eagraíocht stáit Bord na Gaeilge i 1983 – cáipéis théagartha, shuntasach ba ea é inar leagadh amach spriocanna do gach gné den státchóras. I ndeireadh na dála, nuair a bhí ionchur na polaitíochta agus na Státseirbhíse curtha san áireamh, ní raibh fágtha den phlean uaillmhianach ach creatlach de choistí a bhí le bunú chun moltaí a dhéanamh i leith úsáid na Gaeilge i réimsí éagsúla den saol phoiblí.
Mheabhraigh sé don iriseoir an méid a bhí le rá ag Séamus Mallon faoi Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta – gur “Sunningdale for slow learners” a bhí ann. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Nár thrua dá mba í an chinniúint chéanna a bheadh i ndán don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge?
Agus mé ag ullmhú le teacht in bhur láthair anseo inniu, smaoinigh mé ar ráitis a rinne beirt dár laochra a bhásaigh anuraidh, go ndéana Dia grásta orthu – Nelson Mandela, a dúirt “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Agus Seamus Heaney, a dúirt:
Go raibh maith agaibh arís as bhur gcuireadh labhairt libh anseo inniu.
(CRÍOCH)
Eolas: Damhnait Uí Mhaoldúin ar (091) 504006 nó 087-2197946 nó ag eolas[ag]coimisineir.ie
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Translation of speaking notes; An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin at the Houses of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language: 23rd January 2014, 12.15pm
A chathaoirligh agus a dhaoine uaisle,
I would like to thank you for your invitation here today. When I addressed another joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas at the beginning of last month, I hadn’t expected to be back here today and it’s an honour and a privilege to have received your invitation. I announced here at the beginning of December that I had decided to stand aside from the position of Coimisinéir Teanga in a month’s time, on 23rd February, when I will have completed 10 years in that capacity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those people who have contacted me in the meantime; I appreciate very much all of the messages of goodwill which I received locally, nationally and internationally.
Before I focus on the theme for discussion today – the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language – I would like to mention the main reason that I decided to resign as Coimisinéir Teanga. I had, in essence, come to the firm belief that in the two years which remained in my term of office, there would be little else that I could personally achieve in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities.
Marginalisation of Irish
I believe that the language is continuously being edged aside, pushed towards the margins of society and that includes much of the public sector. I would not support the premise that the fault lies primarily with politicians but it appears to me, notwithstanding those within the State sector who support the language, that there are stronger and more widespread forces in place who have little or no concern for the future of our national language.
Some progress has been made over the past 10 years since the introduction of the Official Languages Act – particularly in the use of Irish on public signage, in stationery and in publications. There is a greater awareness of language rights and our Office supports this.
The neglect in promoting the language scheme element of the Act has resulted in severe restrictions on the progress which might have been made. I believe there is no possibility that the new system being introduced to increase the number of civil servants fluent in Irish will succeed. A commitment that State service through Irish be provided in Gaeltacht areas without terms and conditions is not forthcoming and consequently, the practice will persist where the State sector is effectively saying to Gaeltacht communities: “Speak Irish among yourselves, but don’t speak it to us!”.
More than two years have elapsed since a review of the Official Languages Act began, yet at this stage, the very first step in amending the legislation – the publication of ‘heads of a bill’ has not been taken. A new deadline was announced last week for the publication of the amendments – before summer. A decision to merge the functions of my Office with the Office of the Ombudsman was made without reference to me or to the then Ombudsman, yet again more than two years later, no details are available publicly of the proposed new arrangement or how it is thought it might work. It was announced last week that the merger will happen by next September.
I believe that the Office was never given adequate resources to fully perform its statutory obligations in a satisfactory manner.
For those who believe in language rights for Gaeltacht communities and for Irish speakers in general this is a time of great uncertainty. I have always held the opinion that the support required for the Irish language within this country’s public service should not and could not be viewed as an optional extra. Language rights are permanent rights; they are not concessions or privileges granted at times of prosperity.
If the State cannot provide assurances, when the language legislation is being amended, that it will ensure that it can communicate in Irish with Gaeltacht communities without terms and conditions and that it will have adequate staff in public administration with proficiency in Irish, then I believe that its policy will be viewed as a sham.
The choice I had was to stand aside from my appointment as Coimisinéir Teanga on principle to draw attention to these matters or to continue in my role and, consequently, to participate in a pretence. I am absolutely certain that I made the correct decision. The process of appointing a new commissioner has now begun and I would like to extend my best wishes to whoever is appointed as my successor.
The Strategy
I understand that as a subcommittee you have a particular focus on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language and that you wish me to direct some of my comments today to that matter. I played an active part in the preparation of the Strategy – I published recommendations on the subject and I met with the group of international experts established to advise on the drafting of the Strategy.
I stated – when launching Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge in 2008 – that the implementation of the strategy could be amongst the most important actions for the future of the language since the foundation of the State. I also gave a very clear warning at the time: “It is important that we do not forget that any strategy is worthless unless it is implemented. The agreement and publication of the strategy must be a starting point on a new journey and not the destination.”
The following year, I stated that it was necessary to begin the implementation of the strategy effectively and without delay, and, if that were not to happen, and if it were to be treated in the same manner as countless other commendable reports, then it would be preferable to discard it immediately to avoid further cynicism. I stated at that time that actions in accordance with the commitments were required rather than empty promises.
So, is the Strategy being implemented? I don’t know. And with all due respect to you as a subcommittee, I believe that you don’t know either as there is no independent audit or review being conducted on the implementation of the Strategy.
It is self-assessment only and from the experience of my Office in auditing the language schemes of State bodies over the past 10 years, little value or importance can be attached in reality to self-assessment. In any area of life, it is difficult to depend on any review by stakeholders with vested interests, but, on the other hand, research based evidence is of immense value. We have also learned a valuable lesson over the years – that there is a basis for the phrase “what gets measured gets done!” Unless audits and independent assessments are carried out I don’t believe anyone can give any guarantees as to implementation.
But a person may have an opinion: here is an opinion from an expert.
Seosamh Mac Donnacha from the National University of Ireland, Galway, was (with Conchúr Ó Giollagáin) one of the authors of “The Comprehensive Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht” - research work which prompted the Strategy.
Speaking at Tóstal na Gaeilge last year, he said that the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language no longer existed. “I am aware that we have a document which we call The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. But a document and a Strategy are not one and the same. We do not have a live Strategy that is being implemented in a consistent systematic manner…” (trans.)
Dr John Walsh, another expert, had the following to say in this month’s edition of the magazine Comhar: “The 20-Year Strategy is now like a corpse and the Irish language is more marginalised than ever in the Civil Service.”(trans.)
“A dead document”
Seosamh Mac Donnacha described the Strategy as ‘a dead document’ and he also said that the Department of the Gaeltacht no longer exists –
It is a pessimistic assessment, but unfortunately, I am very aware that many in the Gaeltacht communities and Irish speakers in general share that view. The writer, Seosamh Mac Grianna, once said that the truth is not just bitter but savage which is why it is avoided.
I firmly believe that if this debate is to succeed, it must be based on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have no wish to be negative about this, but I believe that the starting point must always be based on reality rather than on a presumption based on unfounded hope. Groupthink has no place in matters as important as the survival of a language.
Based on census figures from 2002, it was argued in 2007 that the Irish language would survive no more than 15-20 years as the predominant community language in the strongest Gaeltacht areas that remained. Of course, it will survive as a language, and the last native Irish speaker has not yet been born. But that in no way equates to its survival as the predominant community language, handed down in an unbroken chain, from generation to generation. As someone who cares about the future of the language and the Gaeltacht and as a person who has spent the most of his life living in the Gaeltacht, it doesn’t appear to me that significant actions or worthwhile, practical steps have been taken on the ground to address the scale of the language emergency in the Gaeltacht since that very clear warning was given seven years ago.
Tick-Tock
A new Gaeltacht Act has been enacted, although the welcome it received could hardly be said to have resounded through the hills and glens of the Gaeltacht. It changed the structure of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and, in conjunction with the Údarás and Foras na Gaeilge, placed liability for language planning on Gaeltacht communities who never sought that responsibility. Economic planning would not be left to such local communities nor would they be given responsibility to decide locally on matters concern housing, roads or the environment. But when it comes to the language, well, that’s another story!
Certain areas have been chosen and more will be chosen to prepare language plans; they will be given two years to prepare the plans and seven years to implement them. Meanwhile tick-tock, Tempus fugit and if, as is said in Irish, “God’s mills grind slowly” it appears the wheels of the state turn more slowly still, particularly in the case of the language. When I see the sorry state of the system put in place to develop language plans or language schemes in State bodies because of ineffective implementation, it is unfortunately very difficult for me to have any confidence in the new language planning system envisaged in the Gaeltacht Act.
Indeed, I very much doubt if those who are officially responsible for directing the implementation of the Strategy and the language planning initiative, truly believe, in their heart of hearts, that there is any realistic hope that these policies will in fact succeed or bear fruit. And, certainly, if those charged with that responsibility don’t believe in it, then surely there is little reason for anybody else to have any faith in it either: no social legislation can be effectively implemented unless the public in general has confidence in it and supports it.
The Act and the Strategy
With regard to the Irish language in the State sector, I recently read an article by a retired senior civil servant who said, in his opinion, that there was “growing evidence that there is a strategy afoot to do away with what’s left of Irish in the public life of the county.”
Seán Mag Leannáin spent 15 years as a principal officer in the civil service until he retired in December 2009. He said:
A commitment was made in the Strategy that a system would be put in place whereby the number of staff in the public service who could conduct their business in Irish would be increased. I have already referred to this new system that is to be put in place on a pilot basis. Perhaps it is simply enough to say that research carried out on our behalf found that, based on official figures from the Department of Education and Skills, it would take this new system, if implemented fully and positively, about 28 years to double the percentage of administrative staff in that department with fluency in Irish, from 1.5% to 3%.
It was further promised on page 45 of the Strategy that language schemes would, in future, specify positions within State bodies where ability in Irish would be required. The Strategy was published in December 2010 – more than three years ago. A total of 26 new language schemes have been confirmed over those past three years but, to date, not even one position in one language scheme has been specified as one where ability in Irish was required!
I should also point out that Government departments have nominated Irish language officers or other officials responsible for language affairs to implement the Official Languages Act and to liaise with my Office. These are all talented people who diligently carry out their responsibilities, nonetheless only six out of the 16 officers in question actually have Irish; in other words, 10 of these officers who have responsibility for the language coordination in Government departments don’t actually have Irish themselves.
A series of plans and policies were announced to reform and modernise the public sector last week; as far as I am aware, the words ‘language’ ‘Irish’ or ‘Gaeltacht’ were not mentioned once in these documents.
Education
The Strategy for the Irish language places great emphasis on the place of Irish in the education system and I welcome the decision of the Department of Education and Skills to review the provision of education in the Gaeltacht.
However, I am particularly concerned about this issue in the light of that Department’s attitude as reflected in two education related investigations carried out by my Office recently.
In one case, a Gaeltacht primary school complained to me that it had been directed by the Department of Education to appoint a teacher from a panel of surplus teachers although neither the teachers themselves, nor the school authority in question, believed that any of the available teachers had sufficient Irish to teach in a Gaeltacht school.
The following is a random sample of emails sent by the teachers on the panel to the school authorities:
In another case, the Department of Education and Skills again put forward legal and practical arguments as to why it was not obliged to provide the option of studying the subjects of the curriculum through Irish up to Leaving Certificate level to students in one of the strongest Gaeltacht regions remaining in Co. Donegal. The school in question has an Irish language stream up to Junior Certificate level but few students opt for this as they would have to change their language of learning from Irish to English for the two final and most important years, the years of the Leaving Certificate. The investigation by my Office found that the refusal of the Department of Education to provide education through Irish to Gaeltacht students breached its own statutory obligations and in this case also I made recommendations to remedy the situation.
I suspect that you will, in light of this, understand my concern about the educational element of the Strategy.
Undoubtedly however, the root of our problem is that we have never made an adequate connection between the learning of Irish and its subsequent use. The State requires students to learn the languages but often the same State denies or obstructs the use of Irish by those people in their dealings with the State. There is a disconnect and a failure of joined up thinking there.
Stakeholders
I have referred already to the absence of any independent monitoring of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language. Efforts are being made for some time now to have the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities recognised officially as stakeholders by affording them a role in directing the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy. However, for whatever reason, the State sector has refused to concede to that proposal. I find this difficult to understand as I once again recall that social legislation cannot be effectively implemented without the confidence and support of the public in general.
We do hear a lot of buzzwords about interdepartmental committees, bi-lateral talks and implementation plans, but do these amount to positive practical action? This reminds me of the latest story brought to light by the journalist Breandán Delap from the files of the National Archive released under the 30 year rule. He discovered official documents concerning The Four Year Action Plan for the Irish Language, published in 1983, by the state organisation, Bord na Gaeilge. This was a substantial and significant document in which targets were identified in respect of every aspect of the State sector. However, when the political and civil service inputs had been taken into account all that remained of that ambitious plan were proposals to establish a framework of committees to make recommendations with regard to the use of Irish in public life.
This reminded the journalist of Séamus Mallon’s wry comment concerning the Good Friday Agreement as being “Sunningdale for slow learners.” Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. How unfortunate it would be if the same fate were to befall the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language!
As I prepared to address you here today, I recalled statements made by two of our heroes who passed way in the last year, may they rest in peace – Nelson Mandela who said “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
And Seamus Heaney, who said:
Thank you for your invitation to address you today.
(ENDS)
Information: Damhnait Uí Mhaoldúin: (091)504006 or 087-2197946 or eolas[at]coimisineir.ie
A chathaoirligh agus a dhaoine uaisle,
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt daoibh as bhur gcuireadh teacht in bhur láthair inniu. Nuair a labhair mé le comhchoiste eile de chuid Thithe an Oireachtais i dtús na míosa seo caite, níor mheas mé go mbeinn ar ais anseo arís inniu ach is mór an onóir agus an phribhléid dom bhur gcuireadh a fháil. D’fhógair mé anseo i dtús mhí na Nollag go raibh cinneadh déanta agam seasamh siar ó mo cheapachán mar Choimisinéir Teanga mí ón lá inniu, ar an 23 Feabhra, tráth a mbeidh 10 mbliana caite agam i mbun chúraimí na hOifige sin. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thapú le mo bhuíochas ó chroí a thabhairt do gach duine a rinne teagmháil liom ó shin; is mór agam na teachtaireachtaí dea-mhéine ar fad a tháinig chugam go háitiúil, go náisiúnta agus go hidirnáisiúnta.
Sula ndírím ar an phríomhábhar cainte anseo inniu – an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge – ba mhaith liom na cúiseanna a ndearna mé an cinneadh seasamh siar ó bheith i mo Choimisinéir Teanga a chur faoi bhur mbráid. Go bunúsach, thuig mé i mo chroí istigh gur beag eile a d’fhéadfainn a bhaint amach go pearsanta i dtaca le cearta teanga phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta sa tréimhse ama dhá bhliain a bheadh fágtha agam sa phost.
Imeallú na teanga
Creidim go bhfuil an teanga á ruaigeadh ar leataobh go leanúnach chuig imeall na sochaí, agus áirím anseo cuid mhaith den riarachán poiblí. Ní chreidim ar chor ar bith gur ar an aicme pholaitiúil is mó atá an locht ina leith seo ach feictear dom, cé go bhfuil daoine sa státchóras a thacaíonn go láidir leis an Ghaeilge, go bhfuil fórsaí níos láidre agus níos forleithne fós ann ar cuma leo ann nó as dár dteanga náisiúnta.
Tá dul chun cinn áirithe déanta le 10 mbliana anuas ó tháinig Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i bhfeidhm – go speisialta maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge ar chomharthaíocht phoiblí, i stáiseanóireacht agus i bhfoilseacháin éagsúla. Tá méadú ar an tuiscint ar chearta teanga agus tá an Oifig s’againne ann mar thaca aige sin.
Ach tá teorannú suntasach déanta ar an dul chun cinn a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist de bharr na faillí i bhfeidhmiú chóras na scéimeanna teanga faoin Acht. Ní chreidim go bhfuil aon seans ann go n-éireoidh leis an chóras nua atá beartaithe méadú a chur ar líon na státseirbhíseach le Gaeilge. Níltear sásta barántas a thabhairt go mbeidh seirbhísí stáit á soláthar i nGaeilge do phobal na Gaeltachta gan cheist gan choinníoll, rud a chiallaíonn go bhfuil an státchóras le leanúint de bheith ag rá le pobal na Gaeltachta: “Labhraígí Gaeilge le chéile ach ná labhraígí linne í”. Tá breis agus dhá bhliain caite i mbun athbhreithniú ar an Acht Teanga ach, fós féin, níl an chéad chéim leis an Acht a leasú, is é sin, foilsiú ‘chinn an bhille’, tógtha fós. Fógraíodh an tseachtain seo caite gur as seo go samhradh an sprioc nua d’fhoilsiú na leasuithe. Rinneadh cinneadh m’Oifig a chónascadh le hOifig an Ombudsman i ngan fhios dom féin agus don Ombudsman ag an am, ach arís agus níos mó ná dhá bhliain imithe, níl aon mhionsonraí ar fáil go poiblí faoina bhfuil molta ná faoin bhealach a cheaptar a n-oibreodh sé. Fógraíodh le linn na seachtaine seo caite go mbeadh an cónascadh sin déanta roimh Mheán Fómhair na bliana seo.
Creidim nár tugadh don Oifig riamh na hacmhainní riachtanacha lena cúraimí reachtúla a chomhlíonadh go cuí agus go hiomlán.
Don té a chreideann gur cheart go mbeadh cearta teanga ag pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, is tréimhse í seo atá lán le héiginnteacht. Mheas mé riamh nárbh fhéidir nó nár cheart breathnú ar an tacaíocht a theastaíonn don Ghaeilge i státchóras na tíre seo mar ábhar roghnach breise. Is buanchearta iad cearta teanga; ní lamháltais ná pribhléidí iad a thugtar le linn aimsir na flúirse.
Mura féidir leis an Stát dearbhú a thabhairt i dtac a le húsáid na Gaeilge i mbun cumarsáide le pobal na Gaeltachta gan cheist, gan choinníoll agus a chinntiú go mbeidh dóthain foirne le cumas sa Ghaeilge sa chóras riaracháin phoiblí nuair a bheas an tAcht Teanga á leasú, creidim go dtuigfear ansin gur cur i gcéill a bheas ann.
An rogha a bhí agam ná seasamh siar ó mo cheapachán mar Choimisinéir Teanga ar bhonn prionsabail le haird a dhíriú ar na ceisteanna seo nó leanúint orm agus, ar an bhealach sin, a bheith páirteach sa chur i gcéill. Creidim go láidir i mo chroí istigh go ndearna mé an rogha cheart. Tá tús curtha anois le próiseas le Coimisinéir úr a cheapadh agus guím gach rath agus beannacht ar cibé duine a bheas mar chomharba agam.
An Straitéis
Tuigim go bhfuil fócas ar leith agaibhse mar Fhochoiste ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus go bhfuil fonn oraibh go ndíreoinn cuid áirithe de mo chuid cainte ar an ábhar sin inniu.
Ghlac mé páirt ghníomhach in ullmhú na Straitéise – d’fhoilsigh mé moltaí ar an ábhar agus chas mé leis an ghrúpa saineolaithe idirnáisiúnta a bhí curtha le chéile le comhairle a sholáthar i dtaca le dréachtú na Straitéise féin.
Dúirt mé – agus mé ag seoladh Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge sa bhliain 2008 – go bhféadfadh feidhmiú na Straitéise a bheith ar na gníomhartha is tábhachtaí do thodhchaí na teanga ó bunaíodh an Stát. Ach thug mé an rabhadh an-soiléir seo fosta ag an am: “Tá sé tábhachtach nach ligfimis i ndearmad, áfach, nach fiú tráithnín féir aon straitéis mura gcuirtear i bhfeidhm í. Caithfidh aontú agus foilsiú na straitéise a bheith ina thús ar aistear nua seachas ina cheann scríbe.”
Dúirt mé an bhliain ina dhiaidh sin go mbeadh sé riachtanach go gcuirfí tús éifeachtach agus gasta le cur i bhfeidhm iomlán na Straitéise agus mura raibh sin le tarlú, agus go rabhthas le caitheamh léi mar a tharla le hiliomad tuarascálach a inmholta roimhe sin, go mb’fhearr dá gcaithfí i leataobh láithreach í ar mhaithe le tuilleadh soiniciúlachta a sheachaint. Beart de réir briathra a theastaigh in áit focail mhilse, a dúirt mé ag an am.
An bhfuil, mar sin, an Straitéis á cur i bhfeidhm? Níl a fhios agamsa. Agus, i gcead daoibh mar Fhochoiste, ní shílim go bhfuil a fhios agaibhse ach an oiread mar nach bhfuil aon iniúchadh ná léirmheastóireacht neamhspleách á dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú na Straitéise.
Féin-mheastóireacht amháin atá i gceist agus ón taithí atá agamsa agus ag m’Oifig le 10 mbliana anuas i mbun iniúchadh ar scéimeanna teanga na n-eagras Stáit, is beag tábhacht nó luach atá le cur i ndeireadh na dála ar fhéin-mheastóireacht. In aon réimse den saol is deacair iontaofacht a chur i léirmheas ó pháirtithe leasmhara, ach os a choinne sin, tá ríthábhacht le fianaise atá bunaithe ar thaighde. Tá rud eile foghlamtha againn in imeacht na mblianta – go bhfuil bunús leis an fhrása “what gets measured, gets done!” Mura bhfuil iniúchadh agus meastóireacht neamhspleách á dhéanamh, ní chreidim gur féidir le haon duine barántas a thabhairt faoin fheidhmiú.
Ach is féidir le duine tuairim a bheith aige: seo ceann ó shaineolaí amháin.
Bhí Seosamh Mac Donnacha as Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh ar dhuine d’údair an taighde (le Conchúr Ó Giollagáin) ar a dtugtar An Staidéar Cuimsitheach Teangeolaíoch ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht – an saothar taighde a spreag an Straitéis.
Agus é ag labhairt ag Tóstal na Gaeilge anuraidh, dúirt sé nach ann don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge a thuilleadh. “Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil cáipéis againn ar a dtugann muid an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030. Ach ní ionann cáipéis agus Straitéis. Níl Straitéis bheo againn atá á cur i bhfeidhm ar bhealach seasmhach córasach...
Bhí an méid seo le rá ag saineolaí eile, an Dr John Walsh, in eagrán na míosa seo den iris Comhar: “Is geall le corpán an Straitéis 20 Bliain anois agus tá an Ghaeilge níos imeallaí ná riamh sa státseirbhís”.
Cáipéis mharbh
“Cáipéis mharbh” a thug Seosamh Mac Donnacha ar an Straitéis agus dúirt sé freisin nach ann do Roinn na Gaeltachta níos mó –
“níl againn ach fo-rannóg ag plé le cúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta – fo-rannóg de roinn atá mór agus ilghnéitheach...Agus tá an fho-rannóg sin lonnaithe i bhfad ó lár na cumhachta (thiar sna Forbacha i gConamara); tá siad ag bun an tslabhra cumhachta inmheánaigh laistigh dá Roinn féin; agus tá an mháthair-Roinn atá acu ag bun an tslabhra cumhachta lena mbaineann na Ranna Stáit i gcoitinne, rud a fhágann gur deacair di mórthionchar a imirt ar cheapadh polasaí ná ar fheidhmiú polasaí na Rann eile sin a bhfuil ról lárnach acu i bhfeidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge...”Ba é croí an scéil aige nach bhféadfadh fo-rannóg atá ag feidhmiú faoi na cúinsí sin a bhfuil fágtha den Ghaeltacht a tharrtháil ná a chaomhnú, agus nach bhfuil muid ach ag cur dallamullóg orainn féin má cheapann muid go bhféadfadh.
Léirmheas duairc is ea é sin ach tá eagla orm, faraor, go bhfuil cuid mhór de phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta a d’aontódh leis. Dúirt an scríbhneoir, Seosamh Mac Grianna, tráth go mbíonn an fhírinne searbh: “…ní searbh atá sí ach garbh agus sin an fáth a seachantar í.”
Creidim féin, má tá rath le bheith air, gur gá go mbeadh an díospóireacht seo bunaithe ar an fhírinne, iomlán na fírinne agus an fhírinne amháin. Níor mhaith liom a bheith diúltach faoi seo ach creidim gur cheart i gcónaí tosú leis an staid réalaíoch seachas le ródhóchas bréige gan chúis. Níl ról ar bith ag grúpsmaointeoireacht i ngnó chomh tábhachtach le beatha teanga.
Bunaithe ar fhigiúirí an daonáirimh ón bhliain 2002, dúradh in 2007 nach raibh fágtha ach idir 15-20 bliain ag an Ghaeilge mar phríomhtheanga bheo an phobail sna ceantair Ghaeltachta is láidre a bhí fágtha. Ar ndóigh, mairfidh sí mar theanga agus níor saolaíodh fós an cainteoir dúchais deireanach. Ach is mór go deo idir sin agus í a bheith in uachtar mar theanga bheo an phobail agus a bheith á cur ar aghaidh ó ghlúin go glúin gan bhriseadh gan bhearna. Mar dhuine ar cás leis todhchaí na teanga agus na Gaeltachta agus mar dhuine a bhfuil formhór mór a shaoil caite aige ina chónaí sa Ghaeltacht, ní léir domsa go bhfuil mórán gníomhartha suntasacha ná céimeanna praiticiúla le dealramh tógtha ar an talamh le dul i ngleic le scála na géarchéime teanga sa Ghaeltacht ó foilsíodh an rabhadh rí-shoiléir sin seacht mbliana ó shin.
Tic-Toc
Tá Acht Gaeltachta nua achtaithe agus níor bhain an fháilte a cuireadh roimhe aon mhacalla as cnoic agus gleannta na Gaeltachta. D’athraigh sé an struchtúr atá ar bhord an Údaráis agus bhronn sé cúraimí pleanála teanga nár iarr siad féin ar phobail na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge i gcomhar leis an Údarás agus Foras na Gaeilge. Ní ar phobail áitiúla a d’fhágfaí an fhreagracht maidir le pleanáil eacnamaíochta ná ní faoina gcúram a d’fhágfaí cinntí faoi fhorbairt tithíochta, bóithre ná cúrsaí comhshaoil. Ach cúrsaí teanga, bhuel, sin scéal eile!
Tá ceantair roghnaithe agus á roghnú le pleananna teanga a ullmhú: tabharfar dhá bhliain leis na pleananna sin a ullmhú agus seacht mbliana lena bhfeidhmiú. Ach idir an dá linn, tic-toc, tá an t- am ag sleamhnú agus más fíor gur go mall a mheileann muilte Dé, is léir gur níos moille fós a mheileann muilte an státchórais, go speisialta i réimse na teanga. Nuair a fheicim an drochbhail atá fágtha ar chóras na bpleananna teanga nó na scéimeanna teanga do na heagrais stáit cheal feidhmiú éifeachtach, is deacair dom, faraor, aon mhuinín rómhór a bheith agam as an chóras nua pleanála teanga atá beartaithe faoi Acht na Gaeltachta.
Go deimhin, tá mé go mór in amhras an gcreideann fiú na daoine sin a bhfuil cúram oifigiúil orthu i dtaca le feidhmiú na Straitéise agus na pleanála teanga ina gcroí féin go bhfuil aon seans dáiríre ann go mbeidh rath nó dea-thoradh go cinnte ar na beartais seo. Agus mura gcreideann an lucht ceannais féin é, bhuel, cinnte le Dia, níl mórán cúis ag aon duine eile é a chreidiúint: ní féidir reachtaíocht shóisialta a chur i bhfeidhm mura bhfuil muinín agus tacaíocht an phobail i gcoitinne aici.
Acht agus Straitéis
Maidir le háit na Gaeilge sa státchóras, bhí mé ag léamh tuairisce le gairid ó iar-státseirbhíseach sinsearach a dúirt go raibh, dar leis “growing evidence that there is a strategy afoot to do away with what’s left of Irish in the public life of the country.”
Chaith Seán Mag Leannáin 15 bliana mar Phríomhoifigeach sa Státseirbhís go dtí gur éirigh sé as i mí na Nollag 2009. Dúirt sé:
“The civil service establishment...are almost 100 per cent united in their view of Irish as an irritating thorn in the administration. The mandarins know there isn’t political consensus on the issue and they calculate that even to open a public debate on Irish would be to accord it a status it doesn’t deserve – far better to ignore it as if it didn’t exist and to starve the Official Languages Act of the resources to implement it. Let the whole thing wither on the vine...”
Bhí an méid seo le rá aige freisin;
“When the Official Languages Act was passed over 10 years ago the top civil servants adopted a minimalist, wait-and-see approach. They knew that without their active support the new legislation was never going to have much effect. But what started as passive inaction on their part now seems to have moved up a notch or two to one of active undermining. It reminds me of a phrase used by our President Michael D Higgins, speaking at the biennial Tóstal na Gaeilge conference in Galway in 2010, when he referred to those “for whom Irish was not half dead enough”.
Gealladh sa Straitéis go mbunófaí córais le méadú a chur ar fhoireann na seirbhíse poiblí atá in ann feidhmiú i nGaeilge. Thagair mé níos túisce don chóras nua le cur i bhfeidhm ar bhonn píolótach ach feictear dom gur leor a rá libh gur léirigh taighde atá déanta dúinn ar fhigiúirí oifigiúla ón Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna go dtógfadh an córas nua sin, dá gcuirfí i bhfeidhm go hiomlán agus ar an bhealach is dearfaí é, thart ar 28 mbliana le líon na foirne riaracháin sa Roinn sin le líofacht i nGaeilge a dhúbailt ón 1½% atá ann faoi láthair go dtí 3%.
Gealladh freisin ar leathanach 45 den Straitéis go sonródh scéimeanna teanga amach anseo na poist laistigh d’eagraíocht a mbeadh cumas sa Ghaeilge riachtanach dóibh. Foilsíodh an Straitéis i mí na Nollag 2010 – sin breis agus trí bliana ó shin. Daingníodh 26 scéim teanga nua sna trí bliana ó shin agus go dtí seo níl oiread agus post amháin i scéim teanga amháin sonraithe go cinnte mar phost a mbeadh cumas sa Ghaeilge riachtanach lena aghaidh!
Ní miste a lua freisin go bhfuil oifigigh Ghaeilge nó daoine le cúram na teanga orthu ainmnithe ag na Ranna Rialtais éagsúla le freagracht a ghlacadh as feidhmiú an Achta Teanga agus as gníomhú mar theagmhálaithe le m’Oifigse. Daoine cumasacha iad ar fad a oibríonn go dúthrachtach ach níl ach seisear as na sé dhuine dhéag (16) atá i gceist a bhfuil Gaeilge acu; tá deichniúir de na hoifigigh sin a bhfuil cúram na teanga orthu sna Ranna Rialtais nach bhfuil aon Ghaeilge acu féin.
Fógraíodh sraith iomlán de phleananna agus de bheartais nua d’athchóiriú an státchórais an tseachtain seo caite; go bhfios dom ní luaitear na focail ‘teanga’, ‘Gaeilge’ ná ‘Gaeltacht’ oiread agus uair amháin sna cáipéisí sin.
Oideachas
Tá béim an-mhór sa Straitéis ar an Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais. Agus fáiltím roimh chinneadh na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an soláthar oideachais sa Ghaeltacht.
Ach, ag an am chéanna, cuireann sé imní mo chroí orm nuair a smaoiním ar an dearcadh oifigiúil a léirigh an Roinn chéanna le gairid le linn dhá imscrúdú fhoirmiúla a bhí ar siúl ag m’Oifig agus a bhain le gnéithe den oideachas sa Ghaeltacht.
I gcás amháin rinne bunscoil Ghaeltachta gearán go raibh treoir á tabhairt ag an Roinn Oideachais dóibh múinteoir a cheapadh ó phainéal ar a raibh farasbarr múinteoirí, cé gur chreid na múinteoirí sin agus údaráis na scoile nach raibh dóthain Gaeilge ag aon duine acu le teagasc i scoil Ghaeltachta.
Seo cúpla sampla fánach de na ríomhphoist a sheol na múinteoirí ón phainéal chuig údaráis na scoile:
“…With respect to you, your principal and your pupils, I feel that my standard of Irish would not reach the requirement needed for a Gaeltacht school and Gaeltacht life in general…
“... Chun an fhírinne a rá, táim beagáinín buartha faoi toisc gur Gaelscoil sibh agus go bhfuil cainteoirí dúchasacha ag freastal an scoil.”
“Tá brón orm… níl go leor Gaeilge agam chun a bheith ag obair sa Gaeltacht.”
“Unfortunately I don’t think I would be the best person for the job and I’m sure there’s someone on the panel with more experience in Gaelscoileanna and fluency with Irish than I have.”D’ainneoin sin – agus an fhíric go bhféadfadh Gaeilge níos fearr a bheith ag cuid de na daltaí ná na múinteoirí féin sa chás sin – chuir an Roinn argóintí dlíthiúla agus praiticiúla i láthair le léiriú nár ghá socrú ar leith a dhéanamh don Ghaeltacht agus go raibh gach múinteoir bunscoile sa tír cáilithe le múineadh i scoil Ghaeltachta. Chinn mé, áfach, de bharr an imscrúdaithe sin go raibh forálacha éagsúla teanga de chuid an Achta Oideachais á sárú sa chás sin agus rinne mé moltaí dá réir sin.
I gcás eile, rinne an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna argóintí dlíthiúla agus praiticiúla fosta nach raibh dualgas uirthi rogha a chur ar fáil le go bhféadfaí ábhair an churaclaim a theagasc trí Ghaeilge go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta do dhaltaí scoile as ceann de na ceantair Ghaeltachta is láidre atá fágtha i dTír Chonaill. Tá sruth Gaeilge sa scoil go leibhéal an Teastais Shóisearaigh ach is beag duine a roghnaíonn é mar go mbeadh ar na daltaí a dteanga a athrú don dá bhliain is tábhachtaí – blianta na hArdteistiméireachta. Léirigh an t-imscrúdú a rinne m’Oifig go raibh diúltú na Roinne oideachas trí Ghaeilge go leibhéal na hArdteistiméireachta a sholáthar do dhaltaí Gaeltachta ag teacht salach ar a cuid dualgas faoin dlí agus, arís, tá moltaí déanta agam leis an scéal a leigheas.
Tá mé cinnte go dtuigfidh sibh m’imní faoi ghné an oideachais den Straitéis i bhfianaise na gcásanna sin.
Ach, ar ndóigh, is í bun agus barr na faidhbe againn nach bhfuil aon cheangal ceart déanta againn idir foghlaim agus úsáid na Gaeilge sa tír seo. Cuireann an Stát dualgas ar dhaltaí an teanga a fhoghlaim ach is minic ina dhiaidh sin a chuireann an Stát céanna cosc nó bac ar na daoine sin an teanga a úsáid ina ngnóthaí oifigiúla. Tá dícheangal nó cliseadh céille i gceist ansin.
Páirtithe leasmhara
Thrácht mé níos túisce ar an easpa monatóireacht neamhspleách atá le déanamh ar an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. Tá iarrachtaí á ndéanamh le tamall a éileamh go n-aithneofaí go hoifigiúil pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta mar pháirtithe leasmhara trí ról a thabhairt dóibh i stiúradh na Straitéise 20 Bliain – ach ar chúis éigin tá sin á dhiúltú dóibh ag an státchóras. Is deacair sin a chreidiúint agus meabhraím arís nach féidir reachtaíocht shóisialta a chur i bhfeidhm mura bhfuil muinín agus tacaíocht an phobail i gcoitinne aici.
Tá neart dordfhocal le cloisteáil ceart go leor faoi choistí idir-rannacha, cainteanna déthaobhacha agus pleananna forfheidhmithe ach an ionann sin agus gníomhartha praiticiúla, dearfacha? Dúisíonn sé i m’intinn an scéal is deireanaí atá nochta ag an iriseoir Breandán Delap ó chomhaid na Cartlainne Náisiúnta faoin Riail 30 Bliain. D’aimsigh sé na cáipéisí oifigiúla a bhain leis an Phlean Gníomhaíochta Ceithre Bliana don Ghaeilge a d’fhoilsigh an eagraíocht stáit Bord na Gaeilge i 1983 – cáipéis théagartha, shuntasach ba ea é inar leagadh amach spriocanna do gach gné den státchóras. I ndeireadh na dála, nuair a bhí ionchur na polaitíochta agus na Státseirbhíse curtha san áireamh, ní raibh fágtha den phlean uaillmhianach ach creatlach de choistí a bhí le bunú chun moltaí a dhéanamh i leith úsáid na Gaeilge i réimsí éagsúla den saol phoiblí.
Mheabhraigh sé don iriseoir an méid a bhí le rá ag Séamus Mallon faoi Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta – gur “Sunningdale for slow learners” a bhí ann. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Nár thrua dá mba í an chinniúint chéanna a bheadh i ndán don Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge?
Agus mé ag ullmhú le teacht in bhur láthair anseo inniu, smaoinigh mé ar ráitis a rinne beirt dár laochra a bhásaigh anuraidh, go ndéana Dia grásta orthu – Nelson Mandela, a dúirt “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Agus Seamus Heaney, a dúirt:
“Not to learn Irish is to miss the opportunity of understanding what life in this country has meant and could mean in a better future. It is to cut oneself off from ways of being at home. If we regard self-understanding, mutual understanding, imaginative enhancement, cultural diversity and a tolerant political atmosphere as desirable attainments, we should remember that knowledge of the Irish language is an essential element in their realisation.”Tá rogha shimplí romhainn – féachaint siar ar an Ghaeilge mar theanga a chaill muid nó féachaint chun tosaigh agus í mar chuid lárnach dár bhféiniúlacht agus dár bhflaitheas. Ach deirim an méid seo go cinnte libh inniu anseo i dTithe an Oireachtais – gur le croí trom a thabharfas pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta aghaidh ar chomóradh 100 bliain Éirí Amach na Cásca, faoi cheann dhá bhliain eile, mura bhfuil inár dteanga náisiúnta ach teanga shiombalach agus, seachas í a bheith ina croíchuid dár gcultúr agus dár n-oidhreacht bheo, go mbeadh sí brúite ar leataobh, fágtha ar an imeall agus in áit na leathphingine i saol an náisiúin seo.
Go raibh maith agaibh arís as bhur gcuireadh labhairt libh anseo inniu.
(CRÍOCH)
Eolas: Damhnait Uí Mhaoldúin ar (091) 504006 nó 087-2197946 nó ag eolas[ag]coimisineir.ie
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Translation of speaking notes; An Coimisinéir Teanga, Seán Ó Cuirreáin at the Houses of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language: 23rd January 2014, 12.15pm
A chathaoirligh agus a dhaoine uaisle,
I would like to thank you for your invitation here today. When I addressed another joint committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas at the beginning of last month, I hadn’t expected to be back here today and it’s an honour and a privilege to have received your invitation. I announced here at the beginning of December that I had decided to stand aside from the position of Coimisinéir Teanga in a month’s time, on 23rd February, when I will have completed 10 years in that capacity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those people who have contacted me in the meantime; I appreciate very much all of the messages of goodwill which I received locally, nationally and internationally.
Before I focus on the theme for discussion today – the 20-year Strategy for the Irish language – I would like to mention the main reason that I decided to resign as Coimisinéir Teanga. I had, in essence, come to the firm belief that in the two years which remained in my term of office, there would be little else that I could personally achieve in relation to language rights for Irish speakers and Gaeltacht communities.
Marginalisation of Irish
I believe that the language is continuously being edged aside, pushed towards the margins of society and that includes much of the public sector. I would not support the premise that the fault lies primarily with politicians but it appears to me, notwithstanding those within the State sector who support the language, that there are stronger and more widespread forces in place who have little or no concern for the future of our national language.
Some progress has been made over the past 10 years since the introduction of the Official Languages Act – particularly in the use of Irish on public signage, in stationery and in publications. There is a greater awareness of language rights and our Office supports this.
The neglect in promoting the language scheme element of the Act has resulted in severe restrictions on the progress which might have been made. I believe there is no possibility that the new system being introduced to increase the number of civil servants fluent in Irish will succeed. A commitment that State service through Irish be provided in Gaeltacht areas without terms and conditions is not forthcoming and consequently, the practice will persist where the State sector is effectively saying to Gaeltacht communities: “Speak Irish among yourselves, but don’t speak it to us!”.
More than two years have elapsed since a review of the Official Languages Act began, yet at this stage, the very first step in amending the legislation – the publication of ‘heads of a bill’ has not been taken. A new deadline was announced last week for the publication of the amendments – before summer. A decision to merge the functions of my Office with the Office of the Ombudsman was made without reference to me or to the then Ombudsman, yet again more than two years later, no details are available publicly of the proposed new arrangement or how it is thought it might work. It was announced last week that the merger will happen by next September.
I believe that the Office was never given adequate resources to fully perform its statutory obligations in a satisfactory manner.
For those who believe in language rights for Gaeltacht communities and for Irish speakers in general this is a time of great uncertainty. I have always held the opinion that the support required for the Irish language within this country’s public service should not and could not be viewed as an optional extra. Language rights are permanent rights; they are not concessions or privileges granted at times of prosperity.
If the State cannot provide assurances, when the language legislation is being amended, that it will ensure that it can communicate in Irish with Gaeltacht communities without terms and conditions and that it will have adequate staff in public administration with proficiency in Irish, then I believe that its policy will be viewed as a sham.
The choice I had was to stand aside from my appointment as Coimisinéir Teanga on principle to draw attention to these matters or to continue in my role and, consequently, to participate in a pretence. I am absolutely certain that I made the correct decision. The process of appointing a new commissioner has now begun and I would like to extend my best wishes to whoever is appointed as my successor.
The Strategy
I understand that as a subcommittee you have a particular focus on the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language and that you wish me to direct some of my comments today to that matter. I played an active part in the preparation of the Strategy – I published recommendations on the subject and I met with the group of international experts established to advise on the drafting of the Strategy.
I stated – when launching Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge in 2008 – that the implementation of the strategy could be amongst the most important actions for the future of the language since the foundation of the State. I also gave a very clear warning at the time: “It is important that we do not forget that any strategy is worthless unless it is implemented. The agreement and publication of the strategy must be a starting point on a new journey and not the destination.”
The following year, I stated that it was necessary to begin the implementation of the strategy effectively and without delay, and, if that were not to happen, and if it were to be treated in the same manner as countless other commendable reports, then it would be preferable to discard it immediately to avoid further cynicism. I stated at that time that actions in accordance with the commitments were required rather than empty promises.
So, is the Strategy being implemented? I don’t know. And with all due respect to you as a subcommittee, I believe that you don’t know either as there is no independent audit or review being conducted on the implementation of the Strategy.
It is self-assessment only and from the experience of my Office in auditing the language schemes of State bodies over the past 10 years, little value or importance can be attached in reality to self-assessment. In any area of life, it is difficult to depend on any review by stakeholders with vested interests, but, on the other hand, research based evidence is of immense value. We have also learned a valuable lesson over the years – that there is a basis for the phrase “what gets measured gets done!” Unless audits and independent assessments are carried out I don’t believe anyone can give any guarantees as to implementation.
But a person may have an opinion: here is an opinion from an expert.
Seosamh Mac Donnacha from the National University of Ireland, Galway, was (with Conchúr Ó Giollagáin) one of the authors of “The Comprehensive Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht” - research work which prompted the Strategy.
Speaking at Tóstal na Gaeilge last year, he said that the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language no longer existed. “I am aware that we have a document which we call The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. But a document and a Strategy are not one and the same. We do not have a live Strategy that is being implemented in a consistent systematic manner…” (trans.)
Dr John Walsh, another expert, had the following to say in this month’s edition of the magazine Comhar: “The 20-Year Strategy is now like a corpse and the Irish language is more marginalised than ever in the Civil Service.”(trans.)
“A dead document”
Seosamh Mac Donnacha described the Strategy as ‘a dead document’ and he also said that the Department of the Gaeltacht no longer exists –
“we merely have a sub-section which deals with the Irish language and Gaeltacht issues – a sub-section of a department which is large and diverse… And that sub-section is located far from the centre of power (in Na Forbacha, Conamara); it is at the bottom of the internal power chain within its own department; and that parent department is at the bottom of the power chain to which all the Government Departments belong, which means that it is difficult for it to have any significant impact on policy formulation or on the implementation of the policies of those other departments which have a central role in the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language…” (trans.)The core issue for him is that a sub-section which is operating in those circumstances could not protect or preserve what is left of the Gaeltacht, and that we are only fooling ourselves if we think it could.
It is a pessimistic assessment, but unfortunately, I am very aware that many in the Gaeltacht communities and Irish speakers in general share that view. The writer, Seosamh Mac Grianna, once said that the truth is not just bitter but savage which is why it is avoided.
I firmly believe that if this debate is to succeed, it must be based on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have no wish to be negative about this, but I believe that the starting point must always be based on reality rather than on a presumption based on unfounded hope. Groupthink has no place in matters as important as the survival of a language.
Based on census figures from 2002, it was argued in 2007 that the Irish language would survive no more than 15-20 years as the predominant community language in the strongest Gaeltacht areas that remained. Of course, it will survive as a language, and the last native Irish speaker has not yet been born. But that in no way equates to its survival as the predominant community language, handed down in an unbroken chain, from generation to generation. As someone who cares about the future of the language and the Gaeltacht and as a person who has spent the most of his life living in the Gaeltacht, it doesn’t appear to me that significant actions or worthwhile, practical steps have been taken on the ground to address the scale of the language emergency in the Gaeltacht since that very clear warning was given seven years ago.
Tick-Tock
A new Gaeltacht Act has been enacted, although the welcome it received could hardly be said to have resounded through the hills and glens of the Gaeltacht. It changed the structure of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and, in conjunction with the Údarás and Foras na Gaeilge, placed liability for language planning on Gaeltacht communities who never sought that responsibility. Economic planning would not be left to such local communities nor would they be given responsibility to decide locally on matters concern housing, roads or the environment. But when it comes to the language, well, that’s another story!
Certain areas have been chosen and more will be chosen to prepare language plans; they will be given two years to prepare the plans and seven years to implement them. Meanwhile tick-tock, Tempus fugit and if, as is said in Irish, “God’s mills grind slowly” it appears the wheels of the state turn more slowly still, particularly in the case of the language. When I see the sorry state of the system put in place to develop language plans or language schemes in State bodies because of ineffective implementation, it is unfortunately very difficult for me to have any confidence in the new language planning system envisaged in the Gaeltacht Act.
Indeed, I very much doubt if those who are officially responsible for directing the implementation of the Strategy and the language planning initiative, truly believe, in their heart of hearts, that there is any realistic hope that these policies will in fact succeed or bear fruit. And, certainly, if those charged with that responsibility don’t believe in it, then surely there is little reason for anybody else to have any faith in it either: no social legislation can be effectively implemented unless the public in general has confidence in it and supports it.
The Act and the Strategy
With regard to the Irish language in the State sector, I recently read an article by a retired senior civil servant who said, in his opinion, that there was “growing evidence that there is a strategy afoot to do away with what’s left of Irish in the public life of the county.”
Seán Mag Leannáin spent 15 years as a principal officer in the civil service until he retired in December 2009. He said:
“The civil service establishment...are almost 100 per cent united in their view of Irish as an irritating thorn in the administration. The mandarins know there isn’t political consensus on the issue and they calculate that even to open a public debate on Irish would be to accord it a status it doesn’t deserve – far better to ignore it as if it didn’t exist and to starve the Official Languages Act of the resources to implement it. Let the whole thing wither on the vine…”Furthermore he had this to say:
“When the Official Languages Act was passed over 10 years ago the top civil servants adopted a minimalist, wait-and-see approach. They knew that without their active support the new legislation was never going to have much effect. But what started as passive inaction on their part now seems to have moved up a notch or two to one of active undermining.
It reminds me of a phrase used by our President Michael D Higgins, speaking at the biennial Tóstal na Gaeilge conference in Galway in 2010, when he referred to those “for whom Irish was not half dead enough.”What an interesting perspective from a courageous man who was at the centre of the state sector.
A commitment was made in the Strategy that a system would be put in place whereby the number of staff in the public service who could conduct their business in Irish would be increased. I have already referred to this new system that is to be put in place on a pilot basis. Perhaps it is simply enough to say that research carried out on our behalf found that, based on official figures from the Department of Education and Skills, it would take this new system, if implemented fully and positively, about 28 years to double the percentage of administrative staff in that department with fluency in Irish, from 1.5% to 3%.
It was further promised on page 45 of the Strategy that language schemes would, in future, specify positions within State bodies where ability in Irish would be required. The Strategy was published in December 2010 – more than three years ago. A total of 26 new language schemes have been confirmed over those past three years but, to date, not even one position in one language scheme has been specified as one where ability in Irish was required!
I should also point out that Government departments have nominated Irish language officers or other officials responsible for language affairs to implement the Official Languages Act and to liaise with my Office. These are all talented people who diligently carry out their responsibilities, nonetheless only six out of the 16 officers in question actually have Irish; in other words, 10 of these officers who have responsibility for the language coordination in Government departments don’t actually have Irish themselves.
A series of plans and policies were announced to reform and modernise the public sector last week; as far as I am aware, the words ‘language’ ‘Irish’ or ‘Gaeltacht’ were not mentioned once in these documents.
Education
The Strategy for the Irish language places great emphasis on the place of Irish in the education system and I welcome the decision of the Department of Education and Skills to review the provision of education in the Gaeltacht.
However, I am particularly concerned about this issue in the light of that Department’s attitude as reflected in two education related investigations carried out by my Office recently.
In one case, a Gaeltacht primary school complained to me that it had been directed by the Department of Education to appoint a teacher from a panel of surplus teachers although neither the teachers themselves, nor the school authority in question, believed that any of the available teachers had sufficient Irish to teach in a Gaeltacht school.
The following is a random sample of emails sent by the teachers on the panel to the school authorities:
“…With respect to you, your principal and your pupils, I feel that my standard of Irish would not reach the requirement needed for a Gaeltacht school and Gaeltacht life in general…
“... To tell the truth, I am rather worried because you are a Gaelscoil and there are native speakers attending the school.”(trans).
“I am sorry....I do not have sufficient Irish to work in the Gaeltacht.”(trans).
“Unfortunately I don’t think I would be the best person for the job and I’m sure there’s someone on the panel with more experience in Gaelscoileanna and fluency with Irish than I have.”In spite of that – and despite the fact that some of the pupils would have better Irish than the teachers themselves in this situation – the Department put forward legal and practical arguments to say that there was no need for special arrangements for the Gaeltacht and that every primary school teacher in the country was qualified to teach in a Gaeltacht school. However, I found, as a result of that investigation, that certain provisions of the Education Acts were breached in this case and I made recommendations in line with that finding.
In another case, the Department of Education and Skills again put forward legal and practical arguments as to why it was not obliged to provide the option of studying the subjects of the curriculum through Irish up to Leaving Certificate level to students in one of the strongest Gaeltacht regions remaining in Co. Donegal. The school in question has an Irish language stream up to Junior Certificate level but few students opt for this as they would have to change their language of learning from Irish to English for the two final and most important years, the years of the Leaving Certificate. The investigation by my Office found that the refusal of the Department of Education to provide education through Irish to Gaeltacht students breached its own statutory obligations and in this case also I made recommendations to remedy the situation.
I suspect that you will, in light of this, understand my concern about the educational element of the Strategy.
Undoubtedly however, the root of our problem is that we have never made an adequate connection between the learning of Irish and its subsequent use. The State requires students to learn the languages but often the same State denies or obstructs the use of Irish by those people in their dealings with the State. There is a disconnect and a failure of joined up thinking there.
Stakeholders
I have referred already to the absence of any independent monitoring of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language. Efforts are being made for some time now to have the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities recognised officially as stakeholders by affording them a role in directing the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy. However, for whatever reason, the State sector has refused to concede to that proposal. I find this difficult to understand as I once again recall that social legislation cannot be effectively implemented without the confidence and support of the public in general.
We do hear a lot of buzzwords about interdepartmental committees, bi-lateral talks and implementation plans, but do these amount to positive practical action? This reminds me of the latest story brought to light by the journalist Breandán Delap from the files of the National Archive released under the 30 year rule. He discovered official documents concerning The Four Year Action Plan for the Irish Language, published in 1983, by the state organisation, Bord na Gaeilge. This was a substantial and significant document in which targets were identified in respect of every aspect of the State sector. However, when the political and civil service inputs had been taken into account all that remained of that ambitious plan were proposals to establish a framework of committees to make recommendations with regard to the use of Irish in public life.
This reminded the journalist of Séamus Mallon’s wry comment concerning the Good Friday Agreement as being “Sunningdale for slow learners.” Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. How unfortunate it would be if the same fate were to befall the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish language!
As I prepared to address you here today, I recalled statements made by two of our heroes who passed way in the last year, may they rest in peace – Nelson Mandela who said “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
And Seamus Heaney, who said:
“Not to learn Irish is to miss the opportunity of understanding what life in this country has meant and could mean in a better future. It is to cut oneself off from ways of being at home. If we regard self-understanding, mutual understanding, imaginative enhancement, cultural diversity and a tolerant political atmosphere as desirable attainments, we should remember that knowledge of the Irish language is an essential element in their realisation.”We have two simple choices – to look back at Irish as our lost language or forward with it as a core part of our heritage and sovereignty. But I would say to you with certainty here today in the Houses of the Oireachtas, that it is with heavy hearts that the people of the Gaeltacht and the Irish speaking community in general will approach the centenary of the 1916 Rising in two years time if our national language is to be merely a symbolic language, and rather than being an integral part of our culture and heritage, that it is pushed aside, marginalised and left in the in the halfpenny place in the life of this nation.
Thank you for your invitation to address you today.
(ENDS)
Information: Damhnait Uí Mhaoldúin: (091)504006 or 087-2197946 or eolas[at]coimisineir.ie
