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(Gaeilge thíos)

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, condemned Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin for saying “it is too early… to take a definitive position” on the Spanish Government’s request for Basque, Catalan and Galician to be recognised as official languages of the European Union, and called for the Irish Government to send a strong and unequivocal message of support for the proposal ahead of the EU’s General Affairs Council meeting tomorrow.

The Tánaiste had been responding to a Parliamentary Question from Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy TD.

Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:

“It is never ‘too early’ to express support for others being granted the same rights we fought hard to obtain. The Tánaiste ought to know that and send a strong message of solidarity on behalf of Ireland abroad.

“The Spanish Government’s decision to request official status for Catalan, Basque and Galician, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the European Union to demonstrate its commitment to multilingualism, and to do so at the behest of the member state concerned.

“The last such move was in 2005 when the Irish Government requested full official status for Irish, which was granted with a derogation in 2007 and took full effect in 2022.

“We know from experience the significance such status at EU level can have by creating career paths and opportunities for speakers and positively changing perceptions of the language. Official status at EU level can be the catalyst for the improvement of language rights at home, which we have seen in subsequent court decisions and legislative change.

“Catalan is spoken by in the region of 10 million speakers across three member states, vying for position as the EU’s 8th most spoken language with Czech, Swedish, Portuguese, Greek and Hungarian, but unlike their fellow European citizens who speak those languages, they are locked out of full participation in EU institutions and decision-making.

“Basque, Europe’s oldest spoken language, has more speakers than the populations of Malta or Luxembourg, while the Galician language community has a larger population than 6 EU member states at 2.4 million.

“All three languages have robust sociolinguistic ecosystems, are rich in literature and culture, with immersive schooling and media infrastructure including dedicated TV stations, and already have official status equal to Spanish in their regions.

“English, not even the national language of any member state, is only official in two member states with a combined population of fewer than 6 million, and yet it not only an official language of the EU, but one of three procedural languages with the highest status in EU institutions.

“If that is possible for English, and if official status has already been granted to 24 languages, including Maltese with as few as half a million speakers, there is no reason why the European Union cannot extend a basic respect and status to the speakers of Catalan, Basque and Galician as well.

“Seizing this opportunity would send a strong message of inclusion, equality and dignity to millions of European citizens, enabling them to take full part in EU affairs.

“Failure to do so, however, would damage the EU’s reputation as a guarantor of rights and defender of minorities, and could potentially set back language rights in Spain for generations by dissuading future governments form making such efforts.

“It should not be understated what a sea-change this request is considering the history of oppression and persecution of regional languages under Franco.

“While much work remains to be done in Spain to resolve the legacy of that period, the European Union and Ireland must play their role in supporting any efforts by the Spanish Government to do just that by demonstrating respect and advancing the language rights of their citizens.”

Ní mór don Tánaiste tacú le aitheantas don Chatalóinis, don Bhascais, agus don Ghailisis mar theangacha oifigiúla AE - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Cháin urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, an Tánaiste agus Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha Micheál Martin as a ráiteas go bhfuil sé “ró-luath… chun seasamh cinnte a ghlacadh” ar iarratas Rialtas na Spáinne chun aitheantas a fháil don Bhascais, don Chatalóinis agus don Ghailisis mar theangacha oifigiúla den Aontas Eorpach, agus d’impigh sé ar Rialtas na hÉireann teachtaireacht láidir lom a thabhairt don mholadh roimh chruinniú an Chomhairle Gnóthaí Ginearálta de chuid an AE amárach.

Bhí an Tánaiste ag freagairt Ceist Parlaiminte ó urlabhraí Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Cosanta Shinn Féin, Matt Carthy TD.

Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh:

“Níl sé ‘ró-luath’ riamh tacaíocht a léiriú dóibh siúd atá ag lorg na cearta céanna a bhain muid amach de réir streachailt. Ba chóir go dtuigfeadh An Tánaiste an méid sin agus go seolfadh sé teachtaireacht láidir dlúthpháirtíochta thar cheann Éire thar lear.

“Tá deis sa chinneadh seo ag Rialtas na Spáinne stádas oifigiúil a lorg don Chatalóinis, don Bhascais agus don Ghailisis, deis nach dtagann ach uair amháin i nglúin, don Aontas Eorpach a thiomantas a léiriú don ilteangachas, agus é sin a dhéanamh de réir éileamh ón bhallstát ábhartha.

“Tharla an bogadh deireanach den chineál seo chomh fada siar le 2005 nuair ar lorg Rialtas na hÉireann lánstádas oifigiúil don Ghaeilge, rud a fuair muid le maolú i 2007 agus a tháinig i bhfeidhm go hiomlán i 2022.

“Tuigimid ónár dtaithí féin an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an gcineál sin stádas ag leibhéal an AE trí slite beatha agus deiseanna a chruthú don lucht labhartha agus dearca dearfach a chothú faoin dteanga. Féadfadh le stádas oifigiúil AE feabhais a spreagadh i gcearta teanga sa bhaile, rud atá feicithe againn sna cinntí cúirte agus athruithe reachtúla a tháinig ina ndiaidh.

“Labhraíonn timpeall 10 milliúin duine trasna trí ballstáit an Chatalóinis, atá san iomaíocht i measc an tSeicis, an tSualannais, an Phoirtingéilis, an Ghréigis agus an Ungáiris le bheith mar an 8ú teanga is mó labhartha san AE, ach i gcodarsnacht leo siúd a labhraíonn na teangacha sin go léir, tá bac orthu lánpháirtíocht a ghlacadh in institiúidí agus déantús polasaí an AE.

“Tá níos mó daoine ag labhairt Bascais, an teanga is ársa labhartha san Eoraip, ná atá ina gcónaí i Málta nó sa Lucsamburg, agus tá daonra níos mó ag lucht labhartha na Gailisise (2.4 milliúin) ná atá ag 6 ballstáit de chuid an AE.

“Tá éiceachóras folláin sochtheangeolaíoch ag gach cheann den trí teanga, atá saibhir ó thaobh na litríochta agus an chultúir de, le scoileanna tumoideachais agus bonneagair meán lena n-áirítear cainéil teilifíse, agus tá stádas oifigiúil acu ar chomhchéim leis an Spáinnis ina réigiúin féin.

“Níl an Béarla, nach bhfuil fiú ina theanga náisiúnta ag ballstát ar bith, ach mar theanga oifigiúil ag dá ballstáit ina bhfuil daonta níos lú ná 6 milliúin idir an phéire acu, ach in ainneoin sin ní hamháin go bhfuil sé mar theanga oifigiúil an AE, ach tá an stádas is airde institiúdach aige i measc an trí teangacha imeachta de chuid an AE.

“Más féidir é sin a dhéanamh don Bhéarla, agus má tá stádas oifigiúil bronnta cheana féin do 24 teanga, lena n-áirítear Máltais nach bhfuil ach leathmilliúin cainteoir aici, níl fáth ar bith nach bhféadfadh leis an Aontas Eorpach an meas agus stádas bunúsach céanna a leathnú do lucht labhartha na Catalóinise, na Bascaise, agus na Gailisise chomh maith.

“Tríd an deis seo a thapadh, sheolfar teachtaireacht láidir ag léiriú cuimsiú, cothrom na Féinne agus dínit do na milliúin saoránaigh Eorpacha agus iad á gcumasú pairt iomlán a ghlacadh i ngnóthaí AE.

“Dá dteipfeadh leis an AE sin é dhéanamh áfach, bheadh cáil an AE mar chosantóir cearta agus mionlaigh millte acu, agus seans go mbeadh céim chun cúil ann do chearta teanga sa Spáinn dos na glúnta toisc go ndéanfar rialtais sa todhchaí a dhíspreagadh iarrachtaí dá leithéid a dhéanamh arís.

“Ní fhéadfar an t-athrú poirt san iarratas seo a chaolchúisiú i gcomhthéacs an stair de dhaoirse agus géarleanúint a rinneadh ar theangacha réigiúnacha faoi Franco.

“Cé go bhfuil a lan obair fós le déanamh sa Spáinn féin chun impleachtaí an ré sin a réiteach, ní mór don Aontas Eorpach agus d’Éire a roil a ghlacadh ag tacú le haon iarrachtaí de chuid Rialtas na Spéinne chun dul i ngleic leis sin trí mheas a léiriú agus cearta teanga a chur chun cinn dá saoránaigh.”

(Leagan Gaeilge thíos)

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, today issued a plea to the Government to consider purchasing the land for sale at An Chonair, also known as the Conor Pass.

The Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and Irish Speaking Community said:

“It is not often that almost 1,400 acres of outstanding natural beauty come up for sale.

“The Conor Pass is a gem of the West Kerry Gaeltacht in terms of both cultural and natural heritage as the gateway to Corca Dhuibhne. The land in question encompasses three lakes, significant forestry, agricultural and mountain grazing, as well as valleys, waterfalls and breath-taking views.

“There will, no doubt, be significant interest from overseas and from private interests to take up possession from the current American owner.

“However, it would be remiss of the Irish State not to examine the possibility of obtaining the land for the people, to safeguard this unique landscape for future generations.

“Not only is the site of national importance in terms of tourism and as an amenity for the local community of Corca Dhuibhne and County Kerry.

“The opportunity also presents itself as a prime location for developing a new national park and engaging in the type of rewilding and nature conservation that is often discussed but rarely put into practice by Government.

“It is 25 years since we established our last national park at Nephin in County Mayo, and it is a disappointment that despite being in Government for 6 and a half of those years, the Green Party have shown no interest in developing new national parks elsewhere in the State.

“We now have a perfect chance at showing a bit of ambition and securing ownership of the Conor Pass and its surrounds for the people of Ireland.

“Sinn Féin is calling on the responsible Ministers – Darragh O’Brien as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Catherine Martin as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media – to work together and engage with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the local community in Corca Dhuibhne to gage their needs and examine if the State could step in and buy the land.”

Ba chóir don Rialtas smaoineamh faoin talamh ag Barr Conarach a cheannacht - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Mhol urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, inniu don Rialtas macnamh a dhéanamh ar an talamh atá ar díol ag an gConair a cheannacht.

Dúirt Cathaoirleach an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge:

“Ní minic a thagann 1,400 acra sáráilleachta nádúrtha ar an margadh.

“Seod is ea An Chonair i nGaeltacht Iarthar Chiarraí, ó thaobh na hoidhreachta cultúir agus nádúrtha maraon agus é mar thairseach Chorca Dhuibhne. San áireamh sa talamh atá ar dhíol tá trí locha, coillte suntasacha, féarach talmhaíochta agus sléibhe, chomh maith le gleannta, easanna agus radharcanna den scoth.

“Níl aon amhras faoi ach beidh suim suntasach ann ó thar lear agus ó fhoinsí príobháideach i seilbh a ghlacadh ón úinéir reatha Meiriceánach.

“Bheadh sé faillitheach ag an Stát Éireannach gan iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar féadarthachtaí an talamh a fháil don phobal, chun an tírdhreac aonarach seo a chosaint do na glúnta amach romhainn.

“Ní hamháin go bhfuil tábhacht náisiúnta ag baint leis an suíomh ó thaobh na turasóireachta de, nó mar áis don phobal áitiúil i gCorca Dhuibhne agus i gContae Chiarraí.

“Tá deis ann freisin mar láithreán foirfe chun páirc náisiúnta nua a fhorbairt agus tabhairt faoin gcineál athbhunú fhiántais agus caomhnú dúlra atá pléite go minic gan a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ag an Rialtas.

“Tá 25 bliain caite ó bhunaíomar an páirc náisiúnta deireanach ag Néifinn i gContae Mhaigh Eo, agus is mór an díomá é in ainneoin iad a bheith i Rialtais ar feadh 6 bliain go leith den tréimhse sin nach bhfuil suim dá laghad léirithe ag an gComhaontas Glas i bpáirceanna nua náisiúnta a fhorbairt áiteanna eile sa Stát.

“Tá seans iontach againn anois beagáinín uailmhian a léiriú agus úinéireacht a shocrú ar an gConair agus an gceantar máguaird do mhuintir na hÉireann.

“Tá Sinn Féin ag impiú ar na hAirí freagrach – Darragh O’Brien mar Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, agus Catherine Martin mar Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltacht, Spóirt agus Meán – obair as lámha a chéile agus dul i mbun comhairle leis an tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra agus leis an bpobal áitiúil i gCorca Dhuibhne chun a gcuid riachtanais a thabhairt san áireamh agus chun oibriú amach an bhféadfadh leis an Stát seasamh isteach agus an talamh a cheannacht.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has said the decision of An Post to relocate 900 staff to a new headquarters offers the opportunity to reimagine the GPO as a cultural hub at the heart of the Moore St heritage site.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh added that the government must stop turning a blind eye to the developer-led destruction of the Moore St and O’Connell St areas, and that failing to do so would be viewed by future generations as an unforgivable act of state-sponsored vandalism. 

Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:

“The relocation of An Post’s headquarters and 900 staff from the GPO offers us an incredible opportunity to reimagine this historic site as a cultural hub at the heart of the wider Moore St heritage and battlefield site.

“I welcome that the GPO will continue to operate its existing post office and 1916 museum, as there has been a worrying trend for years now of services and amenities in the O’Connell St area being run down or, worse, boarded up and discontinued.

“But over the next two years, the vast remaining space in the GPO will be returned to the Office of Public Works.

“Such a vast space in a building of such national historic importance should be ring-fenced for public use, and provide the platform from which O’Connell St and Moore St are made accessible to all and given the prominence they deserve.

“The fact that the government is standing idly by and doing nothing to protect and preserve Moore Street is a travesty, and does not fill me with confidence that they will give the GPO site the treatment it deserves either. 

“The dilapidated state of Moore St and O’Connell St, facilitated by the government allowing developers to leave buildings rot and fall into ruin, is a national scandal.

“The current Hammerson developer-led project for Moore St must be reversed or it will be viewed by future generations as an unforgivable act of state-sponsored vandalism. 

“Decision-makers appear incapable of grasping the cultural and historical tourism potential of restoring Moore Street to its former appearance of a century ago, so it can tell its story as a witness to many of the key events of the 1916 Rising as well as being key to the heart of Dubliners for generations. 

“There is a real and tangible alternative plan for Moore St on the table, and there is a legal framework for a Cultural Quarter which was supported by all members of the Dáil, including government parties.

“The GPO, and the historic streetscape of Moore Street, must be protected, preserved and restored to allow future generations to appreciate the significance of the events of Easter Week 1916, as well ensuring the continuation of a living market, cultural spaces, and allowing local retailers to continue to trade.”

(Leagan Gaeilge thíos)

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has submitted 128 amendments to the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 which is due to begin Committee Stage at the Dáil Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage this week. 

The amendments are in the names of Aengus, Eoin Ó Broin TD, and Thomas Gould TD.

Teachta Ó Snodaigh, who previously chaired the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and currently has a Bill of his own before the Dáil to protect the 1916 Battle Site at Moore Street, said:

“Sinn Féin welcomes the opportunity to amend the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill. We have been waiting since 2009 for the changes to legislation recommended by the Expert Advisory Committee, and I commend the Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan, for delivering the Bill where previous Ministers failed to make progress.

“While we are supportive of much of the framework set out under the Bill, concerns remain in particular around the lack of accountability and oversight proposed. We know all too well from experience, whether with regard to the M3 being built through the ancient Tara Skryne valley, or from what happened at Woodquay back in the 1980s, that the protection of our shared heritage cannot be left to the Minister of the day alone.

“That is why Sinn Féin is proposing to reconstitute the National Monuments Advisory Council and give it stronger powers to overturn a Minister’s decision, calling for an examination on the need for a specific Culture and Heritage Ombudsman, and demanding a stronger role under the legislation for the National Museum of Ireland in particular, and for the Heritage Council, An Taisce, the Joint Oireachtas Committee, and elected members of local authorities.

“No monument should be de-registered or destroyed solely at the whim of the Minister, and we are proposing a total ban on the destruction of archaeological objects and new powers for the State to intervene at auctions to acquire objects for the people.

“Sinn Féin’s amendments would protect outstanding historic landscapes as heritage for the first time, prohibit the continuation of works that damage or destroy a monument’s integrity – including within its surrounding context – or harm the environment, and would ensure the Minister has due regard for any Environmental Impact Assessment and to the Valletta Convention.

“Under the legislation as proposed, authorities “may” protect monuments. Our amendments would make that a requirement, and increase the maximum penalties for breaking the law to 7 years in prison and fines of up to €5 million per day. The proposed maximum fine of €50,000 a day won’t prove a disincentive for large corporations and developers, nor will the hands-off approach to enforcement that has seen only six prosecutions over the past ten years.

“We propose to expand on the definitions under the Bill in several ways, including to cover newly discovered burial grounds and sites of value to the community, with a mechanism by which members of the public can petition the Minister to register a specific monument.

“It should come as no surprise, given our commitment in successive alternative budgets to establishing a Culture Quarter at Moore Street, that Sinn Féin believes battle sites and locations that were central in the revolutionary period from 1916 to 1923 in particular be given automatic protection.

“Our amendments also include a greater role for local media, both print and radio, in alerting the public to notices under this Act, guidelines for land owners who have monuments in their care, and a commitment to decolonisation by obliging the State to both support the repatriation of heritage belonging to other countries and seek the return to Ireland of our heritage kept elsewhere as a result of colonial plunder and theft.

“At the root of our approach is a commitment to recognising a right to heritage, which Sinn Féin wishes to see enshrined in law to safeguard the inheritance of future generations, along with provisions ensuring access and equitable regional distribution of our ancient and cultural heritage. A Sinn Féin Government would take protecting our heritage seriously.”

Níos mó freagracht, píonóis níos déine, agus ceart oidhreachta: Os cionn 100 leasuithe curtha ag Sinn Féin ar an mBille Oidhreachta - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Tá urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, tar éis 128 leasuithe a chur ar Bhille na hOidhreachta Stairiúla agus Seandálaíochta 2023 atá ag teacht os comhair Céim an Choiste ag Roghchoiste Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta na Dála an tseachtain seo. 

Seasann na leasuithe in ainm Aenguis, Eoin Ó Broin TD, agus Thomas Gould TD.

Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, a bhí ina Chathaoirleach tráth ar an gComhchoiste Oireachtais Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, agus Bille aige féin os comhair na Dála chun Láithreán Cogaidh 1916 ar Shráid an Mhúraigh a chosaint:

“Fáiltíonn Sinn Féin roimh an deis Bille na hOidhreachta Stairiúla agus Seandálaíochta a leasú. Táimid ag fanacht ó 2009 do na hathruithe reachtúla a mhol an Coiste Comhairleach Saineolach, agus tréaslaím an tAire Stáit Oidhreachta Malcolm Noonan as an mBille a sheoladh áit ar theip ar Airí eile dul chun cinn a bhaint amach.

“Cé go dtacaíonn muid le cuid mhór den chreatlach leagtha amach faoin mBille, tá ábhar imní ann i gcónaí go háirithe maidir leis an easpa freagrachta agus maoirseachta molta. Tuigeann muid go maith ónár dtaithí, i gcás tógáil an M3 trí ghleann ársa Teamhair nó sa méid a thit amach ag Cé an Adhmaid sna 1980idí, nach féidir cosaint ár n-oidhreacht comónta a fhágáil faoi chúram Aire an lae ann féin.

“Seo an fáth go bhfuil Sinn Féin ag moladh an Chomhairle Comhairleach um Séadchómharthaí Náisiúnta a athbhunú agus cúramaí níos láidre a thabhairt dóibh cinneadh Aire a aisiompú, ag lorg imscrúdú ar an gá le hOmbudsman ar leith don Chultúr agus don Oidhreacht, agus ag éileamh ról níos treise faoin reachtaíocht don Ard Mhusaem ach go háirithe, agus freisin don Chomhairle Oidhreachta, don Taisce, don Chomhchoiste Oireachtais, agus do comhaltaí tofa ar údaráis áitiúil.

“Ní chóir go ndéanfar dí-chlárú nó scrios ar séadchomhartha ariamh díreach toisc gur bhuail spadhar an Aire, agus táimid ag moladh cosc iomlán ar ábhair seandálaíochta a scrio agus cumhachtaí nua don Stát a ladar a chur isteach i gcás ceant chun ábhair a fháil don phobal.

“Thabharfadh leasuithe Sinn Féin cosaint do sárthírdhreacha stairiúla mar oidhreacht don chéad uair, chuirfeadh siad cosc ar obair leanúint ar aghaidh a dhéanach dochar nó scrios do shláine an séadchomhartha – lena n-áirítear laistigh den chomhthéacs mórthimpeall – nó don timpeallacht, agus chinnteodh siad go dtabhartfadh an tAire aird cuí d’aon Measúnú Tionchair Timpeallachta agus do Choinbhinsiún Vaileite.

“Faoin reachtaíocht mar atá molta, “féadfaidh” údaráis séadchomharthaí a chosaint. Faoinár leasuithe, bheadh sé riachtanach, agus ardófar an uasphíonós do sáruithe ar an dlí go 7 mbliana sa phriosúin agus fíneálacha suas le €5 milliúin in aghaidh an lae. Ní dhéanfar comhlachtaí agus forbróirí móra a dhíspreagadh leis an uasfhíneál €50,000 in aghaidh an lae mar atá molta, nó leis an gcur chuige réchúiseach ó thaobh cur i bhfeidhm de ach oiread, gan ach 6 daoine cúisithe le deich mbliana anuas.

“Tá sé i gceist againn sainmhínithe a leathnú faoin mBille ar roinnt bhealaí, chun reilig nua-aimsithe agus láithreáin tábhachtacha don phobal a chlúdú mar shampla, agus le meicníocht chun deis a thabhairt don phobal achainí a chur ar an Aire chun séadchomhartha ar leith a chlárú.

“Ní haon ionadh é, toisc an tiomantas léirithe againn i roinnt mhaith buiséid malartacha chun Ceathrú Cultúir a bhunú ar Shráid an Mhúraigh, go bhfuil Sinn Féin den tuairim gur chóir go mbeadh cosaint uathoibreach ar leith ag láithreáin cogaidh agus a bhí lárnach sa tréimhse réabhlóideach ó 1916 go 1923.

“I measc na leasuithe eile, bheadh ról níos mó ag meáin áitiúil, clóite agus raidió, ag cur fógraí faoi bhráid an phobail de réir an Achta seo, bheadh treoirlínte d’úinéirí talún ag a bhfuil séadchomhartha faoina gcúram, agus bheadh tiomantas don díchoilíniú trí dhualgas a chur ar an Stát tacú le haisdúichiú ar oidhreacht ar le tíortha eile é agus abhaile go hÉireann i gcás ár n-oidhreacht atá thar lear de thairbhe slad agus goid coilíneach.

“Bun agus barr an cur chuige ag Sinn Féin ná aitheantas a thabhairt do cheart oidhreachta an duine, ceart ar mian linn a chosaint sa dlí ionas gur féidir é a sheachadadh do na glúnta inár ndiaidh, anuas ar forálacha chun rochtain agus dáileadh réigiúnach cothrom a chinntiú ar ár n-oidhreacht ársa agus cultúrtha. Bheadh Rialtas Shinn Féin dáiríre faoi chosaint ár n-oidhreacht.”

100,000+ cainteoirí nua le ceiliúradh, ach géarchéim le sárú in úsáid laethúil na Gaeilge - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Chuir urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, fáilte roimh fhoilsiú an achoimre ar thorthaí a bhain leis an nGaeilge i nDaonáireamh 2022 inniu.

Cháin sé áfach gur chinn an PríomhOifig Staidrimh gan sonraí faoin nGaeilge a fhoilsiú i nGaeilge.

Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, atá ina Chathaoirleach ar Chomhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobail Labharha na Gaeilge:

“Tá ábhair ceiliúradh le sonrú sna figiúirí a foilsíodh inniu. Tá 100,000 cainteoirí nua Gaeilge sa Stát sa bhreis ar cad a bhí ann i 2016, ag leigheasú an titim a bhí ann ó 2011 go 2016 agus ag dul chun tosaigh ar sin.

“Más fíor mo thuiscint ar chúrsaí, is é seo an chéad uair ó ré an Ghorta Mhór gur féidir a rá go bhfuil 2 milliúin duine le Gaeilge in Éirinn, idir an 1.87 milliúin sna 26 Contae dar leis an Daonáireamh seo, agus an 228,600 aitheanta sna 6 Contae i nDaonáireamh 2021.

“É sin ráite, cé go bhfuil ardú ar líon na gcainteoir iomlán, níl mórán dul chun cinn le sonrú sa chéatadán iomlán – 40% de dhaonra an Stáit – agus tá titim le feiceáil ar líon na gcainteoir laethúil lasmuigh den chóras oideachas.

“Seo an dara Daonáireamh i ndiaidh a chéile ina bhfuil titim sonraithe ar líon na gcainteoir laethúil Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, agus tá titim le feiceáil i ngach Gaeltacht seachas Ciarraí agus na Déise. Ar a laghad tá an ráta creimidh i bhfad níos lú ná mar a bhí i 2016, rud a léiríonn go bhfuil ag éirí go pointe leis an bpleanáil teanga agus gur gá níos mó tacaíocht a thabhairt dó.

“Caithfidh an rialtas tabhairt faoin 40% atá Gaeilge acu a spreagadh í a labhairt. Duine as gach ceathrar acu a deir nach labhraíonn siad riamh í.

“Seo an chéad Daonáireamh inar cuireadh ceist ar chumas na gcainteoir Gaeilge, agus is ábhar spéise dúinn na torthaí a d’eascair ó sin.

“As an 40% iomlán atá Gaeilge acu, deir 42% go bhfuil Gaeilge mhaith nó an-mhaith acu, figiúir atá os cionn 60% i measc an aoisghrúpa 10-19. Léiríonn sé seo an fiúntas a bhaineann le ham a chaitheamh go rialta le Gaeilge ar scoil mar ábhar éigeantach, agus go dteastaíonn iarracht ar leith chun daoine óga a choimeád ag úsáid Gaeilge tar éis dóibh an scoil a fhágáil más mian linn stop a chur leis an dtitim ó aois 20 ar aghaidh.

“Seans go bhfuil léiriú ar thábhacht an Ghaeloideachais le sonrú sa bhriseadh síos de réir contae, áit a bhfuil Muineachán in éindí le Gaillimh, Dún na nGall agus Ciarraí i measc na contaetha ina bhfuil cumas maith nó an-mhaith ag na Gaeilgeoirí ann. Is i gcontae Mhuineacháin atá an céatadán is airde sa stát de dhaltaí a bhíonn ag freastal ar ghaelscoileanna agus ar ghaelcholáistí, agus dea-shampla atá ann gur féidir éirí leis an athbheochan teanga fiú i gcontaetha Béarlaithe gan Gaeltacht.

“Tá sé suimiúil freisin go dtagann ardú arís ar mhuinín na ndaoine ina gcuid Gaeilge ar bhonn chéimniúil agus iad ag dul in aois ó 55 ar aghaidh. Teastaíonn anailís ar an athrú meoin seo.

“Deir 55% dóibh siúd a bhfuil Gaeilge acu nach bhfuil Gaeilge mhaith acu, rud a léiríonn go bhfuileadar den tuairim go bhféadfadh siad feabhas a chur air. Seans go dtabharfadh ranganna Gaeilge saoir in aisce do dhaoine fásta, mar a aontaíodh ag Ardfheis Shinn Féin anuraidh, deis dóibh tabhairt faoin nGaeilge a fheabhsú agus a úsáid ó lá go lae.

“Tá polasaithe eile molta ag Sinn Féin, sna spriocanna a mhol muid don oideachas lánGhaeilge inár n-aighneacht ar pholasaí an rialtais, agus sna 7 ndícheall beartaithe againn chun an Ghaeilge a normal agus a spreagadh i mbéal an phobail, a féadfadh leo tionchar mór a bheith acu ar an scéal.

“Teastaíonn cur chuige uailmhianach chun dul i ngleic leis an titim ar úsáid laethúil na Gaeilge, go háirithe sa Ghaeltacht, agus chun tógáil ar an méid atá bainte amach sa Dhaonáireamh seo.”

100,000+ new Irish speakers to be celebrated, but crisis of daily speakers still to overcome - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, welcomed today’s publication of the summary results relating to the Irish language in Census 2022.

He criticised however that the Central Statistics Office failed to publish the data on the Irish language in the Irish language.

Teachta Ó Snodaigh, who also chairs the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community, said:

“There is some cause for celebration to be found in the figures published today. There are 100,000 new Irish speakers in the State above what was there in 2016, addressing the decrease that happened between 2011 and 2016 and even growing beyond that.

“If I am correct in my understanding, this is the first time since the era of An Gorta Mhór that we can say there are 2 million Irish speakers in Ireland, between the 1.87 million in the 26 Counties according to this Census, and the 228,600 identified in the 6 County Census in 2021.

“That said, while there is an increase in the overall number of speakers, there has not been much progress in the overall percentage – 40% of the State’s population – and a decrease can be seen in the number of daily speakers outside the education system.

“This is the second Census in a row where a decline is evident in the number of daily Irish speakers outside the Gaeltacht, and a drop can be seen in every Gaeltacht except Kerry and Waterford. At least the rate of decline is much smaller than it was in 2016, which suggests the language planning process is succeeding to a degree and deserves more support.

“The government must work to encourage the 40% who have Irish to speak it. One in every four of them say they never speak it.

“This is the first Census to include questions on the fluency of Irish speakers, and the results emanating from that are of interest to us.

“Of the 40% who have Irish overall, 42% of them say they speak Irish well or very well, a figure that increases to over 60% in the 10-19 age group. This demonstrates the benefit that comes with spending time regularly with Irish at school as a mandatory subject, and that a particular effort is needed to keep young people using Irish after they leave school if we want to stem the decline that happens from 20 years of age on.

“The breakdown of data by county is perhaps showing us the importance of Irish medium education, with Monaghan up there alongside Galway, Donegal and Kerry among the counties where Irish speakers speak it well or very well. Monaghan has the highest percentage in the state attending Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí, and is a good example for us that language revival can succeed even in Anglicized counties with no Gaeltacht area.

“It is also of interest that people’s confidence in their Irish increased gradually as they get older from age 55 on. More analysis is needed on this change of mentality.

“55% of those who have Irish say they don’t speak it well, which shows that they believe they could improve the Irish they have. Free Irish language classes for adults, as agreed by Sinn Féin’s Ardfheis last year, could give them the opportunity to try improving and using their Irish day to day.

“Sinn Féin has proposed other policies, in the targets we recommended for Irish medium education in our submission on the government’s policy, and in the 7 efforts we proposed to normalize and encourage use of Irish in the public sphere, which could have a big impact on the situation.

“An ambitious approach is needed to tackle the decline on daily use of Irish, especially in the Gaeltacht, and to build on what has been achieved in this Census.”

Léirigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, a mhíshástacht le freagra ar cheist parlaiminte dá chuid a fuair sé ón Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta Darragh O’Brien maidir leis na treoirlínte atá geallta le fada an lá chun tacú le húdaráis áitiúil cás na bpobal Gaeltachta a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn sna pleananna forbartha acu.

Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh:

“I mí Lúnasa 2021 – beagnach dhá bliana ó shin – d’fhoilsigh an Roinn Tithíochta Dréacht-Treoirlínte do Phleananna Forbartha nuashonraithe ag dheimhníú arís oibleagáidí údaráis pleanála i ndáil le forbairt na Gaeltachta.

“Rinne an Roinn scrúdú ar aighneachtaí a rinneadh mar chuid de phróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí, agus gheall an tAire go bhfoilseodh sé na treoirlínte sa deireadh thiar thall “i Ráithe 1 sa bhliain 2022”.

“Os cionn bliain i ndiaidh a spriocdháta féin, tá an tAire anois ag rá nach bhfuil na dréacht-treoirlínte fiú críochnaithe, agus fiú tar éis go ndéanfar Measúnú Straitéiseach Comhshaoil agus Measúnaithe Iomchuí orthu, tá sé i gceist aige go bhfoilseofar dréacht arís ar mhaitheas le comhairliúcháin phoiblí eile a dhéanamh orthu. Groundhog Day atá ann don phleanáil Gaeltachta, nó fainne fí na moilleadóireachta.

“Ag an staid seo, níl aon duine ag lorg babhta eile comhairliúcháin nó dréachtanna nua athuair. ‘S éard atá ag teastáil anois, tar éis an comhairliúcháin go léir a rinneadh cheana féin, ná na treoirlínte deiridh, mar a bhí geallta roimh Cháisc na bliana seo caite, a fhoilsiú agus curtha i bhfeidhm.

“Tá géarchéim ar leith sa Ghaeltacht, agus líon na gcainteoir laethúil Gaeilge ann tar éis titim. Cuireann polasaithe reatha an Rialtais bac ar theaghlaigh Gaeltachta tithe a thógáil ar a dtalamh féin chun deis a thabhairt don chéad glúin eile fanacht sa Ghaeltacht agus clanna a thógáil trí Ghaeilge, fad is atá Béarlú na Gaeltachta agus bánú na tuaithe ag déanamh creimeadh ar úsáid na Gaeilge san áit. Teastaíonn práinn chun an géarchéim seo a shárú.

“Ag tús mí an Mheithimh na bliana seo caite, d’fhoilsigh Sinn Féin polasaí cuimsitheach don tithíocht agus don phleanáil Gaeltachta, agus 10 príomh moltaí leagtha amach ann chun dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb.

“Anuas ar sin, rinne Comhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta, agus Phobail Labhartha na Gaeilge, ar a bhfuilim mar Chathaoirleach, tuarascáil a fhoilsiú tar éis plé a dhéanamh leis an Aire O’Brien féin agus cúpla mí a chaitheamh ag éisteacht leis na saineolaithe agus na húdaráis cuí, ag leagan amach 22 moltaí don rialtas.

“Beagnach bliain níos déanaí, níl tuilleadh comhairliúcháin nó athdhréachtú nó plé ag teastáil. D’éiligh na húdaráis áitiúil féin soiléiriú ón Aire. Tá na moltaí agus éilimh go léir ag an Roinn ag an staid seo.

“Impíonn Sinn Féin ar an Aire Gaeltachta stop a chur leis an moilleadóireacht agus na treoirlínte geallta a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm chomh luath agus is féidir chun pobail na Gaeltachta a chosaint.