(Gaeilge Below)
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has welcomed today’s Dáil discussion on the report agreed by the cross-party Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Irish language, Gaeltacht and Irish-Speaking Community on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the European Union and Canada (CETA).
The Committee, including government TDs and Senators, agreed 10 recommendations as part of their 40-page report, having spent the best part of two years commissioning and analysing research on the potential impacts of CETA on the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, with a focus both on language rights under the treaty and on how language protections and Gaeltacht subsidies could be negatively affected by investor protections.
Following the report’s publication in February, the Dáil has set aside time to discuss it today.
Teachta Ó Snodaigh, who chairs the Committee, said:
“This is a significant report, not least because it is the first time a cross-party committee has recommended that CETA should not be ratified by the government without a referendum. This is also notable as the first time an Oireachtas Committee has commented on CETA since leading members of our judiciary referred to the agreement as neither constitutional nor democratic when Costello v Government of Ireland came before the Supreme Court last year.
“Of particular concern to this Committee were the ways in which the legal framework and investor protections set to be established under CETA would undermine the status of Irish in the courts, thereby affecting the legal rights of Irish speakers, while also potentially significantly stifling the ability of the government to protect and promote the Irish language through ambitious policy changes or Gaeltacht subventions.
“Even within the small field of Irish language and Gaeltacht policy, the impact of such constraints could have far-reaching consequences.
“Examples of policies that could be deemed to threaten profits or competitiveness for Canadian investors include introducing bilingual packaging in shops or percentage requirements for Irish language content on audiovisual platforms or music on radio, any obligations on private companies to serve Gaeltacht communities through Irish, or Údarás na Gaeltachta deciding to support offshore renewable energy or fisheries.
“At its root, this means that CETA could block the capacity of a future government to support the Gaeltacht or promote Irish, in particular in the business world.
“The Committee has also drawn attention to the failure of the European Union and the Irish government to protect our cultural industries and creative talent on an even playing field with their Canadian counterparts. Answers are needed on this.
“I hope government will now at last pay heed to the warnings coming from their own party colleagues and ensure a referendum is held before any ratification, and I ask other Committees to consider the potential impact CETA could have on their areas of remit.
“Clearly, given the gravity of what the Supreme Court judges had to say, this cannot be left to government alone.”
Éilíonn Coiste traspháirtí Oireachtais go gcuirfear CETA chuig reifreann – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
D’fháiltigh Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD de chuid Shinn Féin roimh an plé sa Dáil inniu ar thuarascáil a d’aontaigh an Comhchoiste traspháirtí an Oireachtais don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge ar an gComhaontas Cuimsitheach Eacnamaíoch agus Trádála idir an Aontas Eorpach agus Ceanada (CETA).
D’aontaigh an Coiste, Teachtaí Dála agus Seanadóirí Rialtais san áireamh, 10 moltaí a chur chun cinn mar chuid den tuarascáil 40 leathanach, tar éis dóibh beagnach dhá bhliana a chaitheamh ag coimisiúnú agus ag scrúdú taighde ar impleachtaí féadartha CETA ar an nGaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht, agus fócas ar leith ar chearta teanga faoin gComhaontas agus ar conas a bhféadfadh drochthionchar a bheith ag cosaintí infheisteora ar chosaintí teanga agus fhordheontais Gaeltachta.
Tar éis don tuarascáil a bheith foilsithe i mí Feabhra, tá am curtha ar leataobh ag an Dáil inniu chun é a phlé.
Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, atá ina Chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste:
“Tuarascáil suntasach is ea seo, go háirithe toisc gurb é an chéad uair inar aontaigh coiste traspháirtí nár chóir don rialtas CETA a dhaingniú gan reifreann. Díol spéise atá ann freisin toisc gurb é an chéad uair a rinne Coiste Oireachtais trácht ar CETA ó rinne breithiúna sinsearacha sa Stát seo cur síos ar an gComhaontas mar rud nach bhfuil bunreachtúil nó daonlathach nuair a tháinig Costello v Rialtas na hÉireann ós comhair an Chúirt Uachtarach anuraidh.
“Ábhar imní a chur as don Choiste seo go háirithe ná na bealaí ina ndéanfadh creatlach dlíthiúil agus cosaintí infheisteora atá le bunú faoi CETA creimeadh ar stádas na Gaeilge sna cúirteanna, rud a bheadh tionchar aige ar chearta dlíthiúla Gaeilgeoirí, agus an seans freisin go gcuirfeadh siad srian suntasach ar chumas an rialtais an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú agus a chur chun cinn trí athruithe polasaí uailmhianacha nó fordheontais Gaeltachta amach anseo.
“Fiú lasmuigh d’éarnáil bheag an pholasaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta, d’fhéadfadh srianta mar seo cúrsaí a athrú ó bhonn.
“Samplaí de pholasaithe a d’fhéadfadh a shonrú mar baol ag déanamh bagairt ar bhrabús nó iomaíochas infheisteoirí ó Cheanada ná iarrachtaí chun pacáistiú dhátheangach a thabhairt isteach i siopaí nó céatadáin riachtanach do nithe trí Ghaeilge ar árdáin closamhairc nó ceol ar an raidió, aon dualgais a chur ar chomhlachtaí príobháideacha chun freastal ar phobail Gaeltachta trí Ghaeilge, nó dá nglacfadh Údarás na Gaeltachta cinneadh tacú le fuinneamh inathnuaite amach ón gcósta nó in iascaireacht.
“Go bunúsach, ciallaíonn seo go bhféadfadh le CETA cumas rialtas amach anseo tacú leis an nGaeltacht nó an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn a shrianú, go háirithe i saol an ghnó.
“Tarraingníonn an Coiste aird freisin ar theipeadh an Aontas Eorpach agus rialtas na hÉireann tacú lenár gcuid tionscal cultúir agus ár gcruthaitheoirí ar chomhchéim lena gcomhghleacaithe i gCeanada. Teastaíonn freagraí maidir le seo.
“Tá súil agam go dtabharfaidh an rialtas cluas éisteachta faoi dheireadh don rabhadh atá ag teacht óna gcomhghleacaithe rialtais féin anois agus reifreann a chinntiú sula ndéanfar CETA a dhaingniú, agus fiafraím ar Choistí eile féachaint ar thionchar féadartha CETA ar na réimsí faoina gcúram.
“Is léir, toisc na buairt léirithe ag bhreithimh na Cúirte Uachtaracha, nach féidir é seo a fhágáil faoin rialtas ann féin.”
Is féidir an tuarascáil iomlán a léamh ag an nasc seo (The full report in Irish can be read at this link): https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/33/comhchoiste_na_gaeilge_na_gaeltachta_agus_phobal_labhartha_na_gaeilge/reports/2023/2023-02-22_tuarascail-ar-an-gcomhaontas-cuimsitheach-eacnamaioch-agus-tradala-ccet_en.pdf
D’fhiafraigh urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD ar an tAire Catherine Martin folúntas an Choimisinéara Teanga a fhógairt ar an bpointe boise agus Coimisinéir nua a earcú gan mhoill.
Dúirt Ó Snodaigh, atá mar Chathaoirleach ar Chomhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobail Labhartha na Gaeilge:
“Tá sé thar a bheith tubaisteach go bhfuil sé nochtaithe ag Tuairisc.ie nach bhfuil tús curtha go fóill le fógrú an fholúntais do ról an Choimisinéara dhá mí tar éis do Rónán Ó Domhnaill éirí as, agus go bhfuil seans ann nach mbeidh Coimisinéir nua againn go dtí Deireadh Fómhair na bliana seo toisc moilleadóireacht ón Aire.
“Gan Coimisinéir ceaptha, ní feidir le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga tuarascálacha nó imscrúdaithe a fhoilsiú, rud a chiallaíonn nach mbeidh feidhm ag an cosaint is láidre atá ann do chearta Gaeilgeoirí sa tír seo.
“Tagann an moilleadóireacht seo anuas ar an bhfadhb a bhí againn ó thaobh Bord Údaráis na Gaeltachta a líonadh cúpla mí ó shin a d’fhág muid gan cruinnithe nó cinnithe, agus tá patrún á cruthú ag an Roinn Gaeltachta nach bhfuil sé de chumas nó de nós acu tabhairt faoi fholúntais a líonadh a luaithe is a tharlaíonn siad chun a chinntiú gur féidir le heagrais riachtanacha Gaeilge/Gaeltachta feidhmiú.
“Bhain Rónán Ó Domhnaill éacht amach san obair a rinne sé i bpost an Choimisinéara Teanga ó thosaigh sé sa bhliain 2014 tar éis gur éirigh Seán Ó Cuirreáin as, agus ní raibh ach cúpla seachtain i gceist idir an dá Coimisinéir a bheith in oifig an tráth sin. Ní léir cad ba chúis leis an mhoill anois, ach ar a laghad beidh Rónán Ó Domhnaill in ann tabhairt faoi meáin na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sa ról nua atá aige mar Choimisinéir de chuid Coimisiún na Meán.
“In aineoinn gur tugadh aitheantas do thábhacht agus éifeacht na Choimisinéara Teanga nuair ar tugadh cumhachtaí breise dó in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, tar éis do Sinn Féin brú a chur ar an rialtas, is léir nach aitheantas nó príoracht ceart atá ann ina leith, nó bheadh an ceapachán de Choimisinéir Teanga úr tarlaithe cheanna.
“Níl leithscéal ar bith ag an Aire, mar is ise a cheap Rónán Ó Domhnaill ina Coimisinéír de chuid Coimisiún na Meán agus dá réir ba chóir gur léir don Aire Martin folúntas a bheith cruthaithe ach níor chinn sí deileál leis. Ní léir ar déanadh dearmad an próiséas aimniúchán a thosnú, an easpa treoir ón aire, neamh-inniúlacht, easpa meas nó eile a bhí í taobh thiar gan an folúntas a líonadh.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has called on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD to use the occasion of the State 1916 Rising commemorations this Easter to name the new National Children’s Hospital in honour of 1916 commandant Dr Kathleen Lynn.
The hospital is located in Teachta Ó Snodaigh’s constituency of Dublin South Central and he said:
“This Easter would be a fitting time for the government to pay tribute to the only woman commandant of the 1916 Rising, who went on to be a TD, by dedicating a site that was a republican stronghold during the Rising in her honour.
“The hospital would also be a fitting memorial to the pioneering medic who herself established a children’s hospital at St Ultan’s, just down the Grand Canal from the St James’ site, and whose work introducing the BCG vaccine to Ireland saved countless lives and is too often overlooked.
“With this remarkable piece of infrastructure, the government should use the chance to remember a great Irish woman who lived an extraordinary life of service to our nation - a suffragette, a visionary doctor, an Irish Citizen Army volunteer.
“As we approach the planned referendum on the role of women in the Constitution towards the end of this year, it would be a welcome move if the government set the role of this woman in stone in the name of the new hospital, which we all hope will realise the vision she fought for of a Republic that cherishes all the children of the nation.
“The campaign to name the new National Children’s Hospital after Dr Kathleen Lynn has enjoyed widespread support from historians, including Dr Martin Mansergh, Dr Maurice Manning, Marie Mullholland, Dr Mary McAuliffe, Diarmuid Ferriter, Liz Gillis, Lorcan Collins, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Professor Mary Morgan, ophthalmologist Dr Tim Horgan, Consultant Paediatrician Dr Freda Gorman, Fintan O’Toole, Martina Devlin and many more.
“Support has also come from all organisations representing the relatives of those who fought in 1916, and from across the political parties in the Dáil, Seanad and city and county councillors. It was wholeheartedly endorsed as a good idea by the All Party Commemorative Committee when under the chair of Fine Gael Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan.
“As well as tabling a legislative amendment in the Dáil on this matter, I have now written to four Ministers for Health on the matter since 2013 – James Reilly, Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris and Stephen Donnelly – and last month wrote to Children’s Health Ireland as the body tasked with running the new hospital, again asking for a decision to be made to name it Ospidéal Náisiúnta Kathleen Lynn do Leanaí (Kathleen Lynn National Children’s Hospital).”
(Gaeilge thíos/Irish below)
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has offered congratulations on behalf of Sinn Féin to all the film-makers, creative workers, actors and crew who played a part in the films which received nominations for last night’s 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) in Los Angeles.
Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:
“Last night will go down in the history books as a pivotal moment for Irish cinema. Our 14 Oscar nominations in total – including two wins – come on the back of a remarkable year of successes, accolades and recognition from around the world.
“They stand as a testament to the high quality of output and sheer dedication which can be seen in the work produced by Irish talent in recent years.
“As a Dub, it gives me particular joy to congratulate Tallaght-native Richard Baneham on his receipt of the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for the incredible work he did on Avatar: The Way of Water along with his colleagues Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett.
“An Irish Goodbye winning Best Live-Action Short will similarly be celebrated across Derry, Saintfield and Templepatrick as wins for the whole community, but in particular for Tom Berkeley, Ross White, the cast, crew and creators who made it happen, yet another example of the creative genius of our island. Those of us who stayed up til the early hours last night were overjoyed to get to join with the chorus in LA’s Dolby Theatre singing Happy Birthday to James Martin whose starring role sees him now taking home a statuette.
“While we offer commiserations to those nominees who weren’t so lucky in their categories, they are all winners in our books, having given Ireland such hope, confidence, and cinematic excellence.
“As spokesperson for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, I must give special mention to the nomination for An Cailín Ciúin as Best International Picture, which marked a particular high point of achievement at a global level for the dynamic and ever-growing Irish language film sector, and shows what can come from investment in the Irish language.
“Sometimes it takes being recognised for excellence beyond our shores for Irish people at home to realise the value of our unique cultural and linguistic heritage. This remarkable achievement has instilled pride in all those who love our language, whether they speak it or not, and will surely inspire generations to come to unleash their creative potential as Gaeilge.
“The plethora of nominations for The Banshees of Inisherin – the most Oscar-nominated film in Irish history – is a credit to the acting talent, those responsible for the amazing soundtrack, the superb editing, and the incredible writing and direction of Martin McDonagh.
“It has also been a particular cause for celebration on Achill Island and Inis Mór whose communities and natural beauty played an invaluable part in making a film possible that has now garnered 9 nominations.
“That is not to forget the contribution Irish talent has made to films made outside Ireland which has been recognised through these nominations, from Paul Mescal’s outstanding acting in Aftersun to the brilliant editing by Jonathan Redmond on Elvis.
“We in Sinn Féin congratulate all our winners and nominees on the fruits of their work, and we look forward to seeing what they and Irish cinema do next and promise our support to build on the achievements of last night for the future.”
Guíonn Sinn Féin comhghairdeas ar lucht scannánaíochta na hÉireann as an éacht bainte amach ag na Gradaim Oscair – Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Ghabh urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, comhghairdeas thar cheann Sinn Féin leo siúd go léir, déantóirí scannáin, oibrithe cruthaitheacha, aisteoirí agus criú, a bhí baint acu leis na scannáin a fuair ainmniúcháin don 95ú Gradaim an Acadaimh (Oscars) aréir i gCathair na nAingeal.
Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh:
“Mairfidh oíche aréir sna leabhair staire mar pointe cinniúnach don scannánaíocht Éireannach. Tagann an 14 ainmniúcháin iomlán Oscair – 2 buanna ina measc – tar bliain dochreidte gaisce, buanna agus aitheantas as gach chearn den domhain.
“Léiriú ar ardchaighdeán aschur agus fíordhíogras atá le feiceáil leis na blianta beaga anuas sa mhéid atá déanta ag tallann na hÉireann is ea iad.
“Mar Bhleá Cliathach, is cúis áthais é go háirithe comhghairdeas a rá le Richard Baneham Tamhlachta as Gradam Acadaimh a fháil don Mhaisíocht Físe is Fearr a fháil don sárobair déanta aige ar Avatar: The Way of Water in éineacht lena chomhghleacaithe Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon agus Daniel Barrett.
“Déanfar ceiliúradh freisin i nDoire, i dTamhnaigh Naomh agus i dTeampall Phádraig ar bhua An Irish Goodby mar Ghearrscannán Beo-Aicsin is Fearr mar bhua don phobal uile, ach go háirithe do Tom Berkeley agus Ross White, don chliar, don chriú, agus do na cruthaitheoirí atá freagrach as, sampla eile de shárbhua cruthaitheach ár n-oileáin. Dúinn a d’fhan inár ndúiseacht go moch ar maidin, chur sé gliondar inár gcroíthe an deis a bheith againn canadh in éindí leo siúd a bhí in Amharclann Dolby LA ag guí Breithlá Sona ar James Martin atá anois ag tabhairt deilbhín ar ais abhaile leis as ucht a phríomhpháirt sa scannán sin.
“Cé go ndéanann muid comhbhrón leis na hainmniúcháin sin nár éirigh leo ina gcatagóirí féin, is buaiteoirí iad go léir dar linn, tar éis an méid sin dóchas, muinín agus barrfheabhas scannánaíochta a thabhairt don tír.
“Mar urlabhraí don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht, ní mór dom ach go háirithe ainimniúcháin an Chailín Ciúin mar an Fhadscannán Idirnáisiúnta is Fearr a lua. Buaicphointe ar scála domhanda atá bainte amach léi don éarnáil bríomhar scannáin Gaeilge atá fós ag fás, agus léiriú is ea ar cad a thagann ó infheistíocht sa teanga.
“Uaireanta teastaíonn aitheantas thar sáile don bharr feabhais ionas go dtuigfidh Éireannaigh sa bhaile an luach a bhaineann lenár n-oidhreacht aonarach cultúir agus teanga. Ábhar bróid a bheidh sa ghaisce dochreidte seo dóibh siúd go léir ar aoibhinn leo ár dteanga, iad siúd a labhraíonn í chomh maith leo siúd nach labhraíonn, agus is cinnte go spreagfaidh sí na glúnta amach romhainn a mianach iomlán cruthaitheach a fhorbairt trí mheán na Gaeilge.
“Is mór an chreidiúint iad an flúirse ainmniúcháin do The Banshees of Inisherin – an scannáin is mó ainmniúcháin Oscar i stair na hÉireann – dá scoth-oirfidigh, dóibh siúd atá freagrach as an bhfuaimrian, don scotheagarthóireacht, agus don scríbhneoireacht agus léiriúchán dochreidte ag Martin McDonagh.
“Cúis ceiliúradh atá ann do mhuintir Acla agus Inis Mór freisin toisc gur aitheantas atá ann don ról lárnach a bhí ag pobail agus áilleacht na háite i gcruthú scannán atá 9 ainmniúcháin anois bainte amach aige.
“Sin gan faillí a dhéanamh ar an ionchur atá déanta ag tallann na hÉireann ar scannáin déanta lasmuigh d’Éireann atá aitheanta sna hainmniúcháin seo, ó sáraisteoireacht Phaul Mescal in Aftersun go heagarthóireacht iontach Jonathan Redmond ar Elvis.
“Comhghairdeas ó Shinn Féin dár gcuid buaiteoirí agus ainmniúcháin go léir as torthaí a gcuid oibre. Táimid ag tnúth go mór an céad céim eile atá le glacadh acu agus ag scannánaíocht na hÉireann a fheiceáil agus geallann muid gach tacaíocht dóibh chun tógáil ar na gaiscí a baineadh amach aréir don todhchaí.”
Seolann Sinn Féin a seacht nDícheall don Ghaeilge; polasaí uaillmhianach chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa phobal - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge, sheol Sinn Féin polasaí uaillmhianach agus cuimsitheach inniu chun an Ghaeilge a normalú agus a spreagadh i mbéal an phobail.
Leagtar amach 7 mórathruithe pholasaí maidir le stádas agus úsáid na Gaeilge sa cháipéis “Ár Seacht nDícheall don Ghaeilge” a chuirfeadh Rialtas Shinn Féin i bhfeidhm thar céad téarma in oifig.
Déantar cur síos freisin sa cháipéis ar na bealaí ina ndéanfadh Rialtas de chuid Sinn Féin gach iarracht chun costais a choimeád thíos do ghnónna agus don Stát, trí mar shampla na hathruithe a thabhairt isteach thar cúpla bliain, i gcomhairle le páirtithe leasmhara, agus trí áiseanna breise a chur ar fáil chun tacú le haistriúcháin agus ullmhúcháin trí Fhoras na Gaeilge agus líonraí gnó Gaeilge áitiúla.
Is iad na seacht n-iarrachtaí ná:
Dúirt Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir:
“Níl teorann do chumas na hÉireann dar le Sinn Féin. Ba choir go mbeadh Éire ceannródach, ina deamhúnla do stáit dátheangacha is pobail mionteangacha eile, seachas ag treabhadh in iomaire iarchoilíneach.
“Tríd an dea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta a nascadh le féin-mheas don tír, tá súil againn an deis a thabhairt d’fhoghlaimeoirí dul i dtaithí leis an teanga i gcomhthéacs an ghnáthshaoil lasmuigh den seomra ranga, cainteoirí éigníomhacha a chumhachtú bheith gníomhach, agus tiomantas bunreachtúil an Stáit don teanga náisiúnta a chur i bhfeidhm de réir fhís an Uachtaráin Dubhghlás De hÍde.
“Mana simplí atá mar bhunús don chur chuige nua seo: Gaeilge más féidir, Béarla más gá.
“Ní leor na polasaithe seo amháin chun an sprioc atá againn úsáid na Gaeilge a athchóiriú fud fad na tíre, ach bunchloch a bheadh iontu dár gcuid iarrachtaí, taobh le Polasaí Tithíochta & Pleanála Gaeltachta Shinn Fein a seoladh anuraidh, agus polasaí cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge san Oideachas de réir an bhunúis sonraithe inár n-aighneacht ar Pholasaí an Rialtais don Oideachas lánGhaeilge an mhí seo caite.
“Agus Seachtain na Gaeilge buailte linn, tugaimid cuireadh duit na moltaí seo a leanas a scrúdú, do thuairim a roinnt, agus do thacaíocht a léiriú chun Éire a thógáil a dhéanfaidh ceiliúradh ar ár n-oidhreacht teanga agus cosaint ar chearta Gaeilgeoirí.”
Sinn Féin launch ambitious seven-point policy to promote Irish in public - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, Sinn Féin today launched an ambitious and comprehensive policy for normalising and encouraging use of Irish in the public sphere.
The policy document, “Ár Seacht nDícheall don Ghaeilge”, sets out 7 major policy changes for the 26 Counties with regard the status and use of Irish that a Sinn Féin Government would implement over the course of a first term in office.
Also outlined in the document are ways in which a Sinn Féin Government would make every effort to minimise costs for businesses and for the State, including through phasing in these changes over a number of years, in consultation with stakeholders, and by providing additional resources to assist in translation and preparation for the changes through Foras na Gaeilge and local Irish language business networks.
The seven efforts Sinn Féin propose are:
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, said:
“Sinn Féin sees no limit to Ireland’s potential. Ireland should serve as a model for other bilingual states and minority language communities to follow, not a lagger behind, stuck in a post-colonial rut.
“By combining international best practice with a sense of national self-respect, we hope to give learners an opportunity to engage with the language in an everyday context outside the classroom, empower the large cohort of passive Irish speakers to become active, and realise the State’s constitutional commitment to our national language in line with President Douglas Hyde’s vision.
“Underpinning this new approach is a simple motto: Gaeilge más féidir, Béarla más gá (Irish wherever possible, English where necessary).
“These policies alone will not be enough to achieve our aim of restoring Irish use nationwide, but would instead form a core pillar of our efforts, alongside Sinn Féin’s Gaeltacht Housing & Planning Policy launched last year, and a comprehensive policy on Irish in Education, the basis of which we set out last month in our submission on the Government’s Policy on Irish-Medium Education.
“This Seachtain na Gaeilge, we invite you to examine the following proposals, give feedback, and share your support for building an Ireland that celebrates our linguistic heritage and protects the language rights of Irish speakers.”
Ní bhainfear spriocanna amach gan dul i ngleic leis an teip iomlán soláthar an Ghaeloideachais a mhéadú - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Tharraing Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, aird ar fhigiúirí sna Táscairí Oideachas a d’fhoilsigh an Roinn Oideachais inné mar “ábhair imní” ar teip an rialtais gníomhú de réir a bhriathar maidir le hoideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge a mhéadú chun freastal ar an éileamh ó thuismitheoirí agus daltaí.
Dúirt an Teachta Dála ar son Baile Átha Cliath Lár Theas:
“Ba chóir go ngoinfeadh na Táscairí Oideachas seo aire na Roinne.
“Thug an tAire Joe McHugh gealltanas dúinn sa bhliain 2019 go ndéanfadh an rialtas obair i dtreo líon na ndaltaí san oideachas lánGhaeilge a dhúbailt faoi 2030.
“Tá sé soiléir dúinn anois gur ag céatadán marbhánta 8.1% de líon iomlán na ndaltaí bunscoile a d’fhan siad ó 2018, agus níl ach 3.6% ag meánleibhéal i nGaelcholáiste, mar a bhí sa bhliain 2017.
“In ainneoin go bhfuil 4 Gaelscoileanna agus 2 Gaelcholáistí sa bhreis againn anois ó 2017, níl aon feabhas tagtha ó thaobh codán na ndaltaí.
“Tar éis cúig bliain gan aon dul chun cinn, agus gan ach seacht mbliana fágtha, is mithid don Roinn luí isteach ar soláthar a chur ar fáil.
“Tuigtear go gcuirfeadh 23% de thuismitheoirí a gcuid páistí ag freastal ar scoileanna lánGhaeilge, ach níl na spásanna ann. Tá dualgas ar an rialtas freastal ar an éileamh sin, ach is cosúil nach bhfuil feabhas ar bith tagtha ar an scéal le cúig bliain anuas.
“Díol suntais is ea é nach raibh aon tagairt don gheallúint dúbailt a dhéanamh ar sholáthar in aon chuid den cháipéiseacht a bhain leis an bPolasaí don Oideachas LánGhaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht atá faoi chomhairliúcháin phoiblí faoi láthair, ach níor tháinig aon fógra ón rialtas go bhfuil cinneadh glactha acu tarraingt siar ón ngeallúint sin.
“Tá Sinn Féin tar éis ár n-aighneacht féin ar an bpróiseas comhairleacháin sin a fhoilsiú le déanaí, áit ar chuir an obair a theastaíonn in iúl más mian linn éileamh don Ghaeloideachas ní amháin a shásamh, ach a fhás, agus mhol muid tabhairt faoi spriocanna grádaithe dírithe ar sholáthar a mhéadú ar bhonn céimnitheach go dtí go mbeidh 50% de na daltaí ag bunleibhéal rollaithe i scoileanna lánGhaeilge faoi 2050.
“Seo an cineál uailmhian atá ag teastáil ionas go mbeidh an stát in ann dualgais eile a chomhlíonadh ar nós a chinntiú go mbeidh 20% d’earcaithe don státchóras in ann Gaeilge a labhairt ó 2030 agus go bhféadfar seirbhísí a sholáthar do phobail na Gaeltachta ina dteanga féin mar a bhí molta chomh fada siar le 1926.
“Ní féidir tabhairt faoi aon chuid dóibh sin a chomhlíonadh fad is atá an tAire Norma Foley agus a Roinn ag suí siar gan faic a dhéanamh seachas tuarascálacha a choimisiúnú agus próisis comhairliúchán a reáchtáil arís is arís i ndiaidh a chéile.
“I mo dháilcheantar, agus san dáilcheantar béaldoras, tá páistí, tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí tar éis a bheith amuigh ag stocaireacht chun oideachas tré Ghaeilge áitiúl a bheith acu áit nach ann dó, i mBaile Átha Cliath 10 agus 12 ag lorg Gaelscoil agus i mBÁC 2, 4, 6 agus 8 ag lorg Gaelcholáiste chun freastail ar pháistí Gaelscoileanna an cheantair. Níl mar freagra ón Aire Foley ach ciúnas.
“Tá sé in am an ceart a aithint do gach páiste in Éirinn fáil a bheith acu ar oideachas lánGhaeilge más mian leo tabhairt faoi, agus teastaíonn plean ón rialtas chun é sin a chur i bhfeidhm."
Glaring failure to increase Irish-medium education provision must be addressed if targets are to be met - Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, pointed to figures in the Education Indicators published yesterday by the Department of Education as “worrying proof” that the government has failed to deliver on the promise of increasing Irish-medium education to meet the demand from parents and pupils.
The Dublin South Central TD said:
“These Education Indicators should raise alarm bells in the Department.
“We had a commitment in 2019 from Minister Joe McHugh that the government would work to double the number of pupils at Irish medium education by 2030.
“We now know that the percentage has remained stagnant at 8.1% of all primary school pupils since 2018, and only 3.6% at second level are in Irish medium schools, as was the case in 2017.
“Despite having 4 Irish medium primary schools and 2 Irish medium secondary schools more than we had in 2017, there has been no improvement in terms of the percentage of pupils.
“After five years with no progress, and only seven years left to go, the Department really needs to get its finger out and deliver.
“We know that 23% of parents would like to send their kids to Irish medium schools, but the spaces simply aren’t there. Government has a duty to cater to that demand, but appears to have achieved no improvement in the last five years.
“The commitment to double provision was notably absent in any of the documentation relating to the Policy on Irish Medium Education outside the Gaeltacht that is undergoing public consultation at present, although we have had no word from government that they are reneging on that promise.
“Sinn Féin recently published our submission to that consultation process where we highlighted the issues that need to be addressed if we are to not only meet but grow demand for education trí Ghaeilge, and called for a graduated set of targets aimed at progressively increasing provision until 50% of pupils at primary level are enrolled in Irish medium schools by 2050.
“This is the kind of ambition that is needed if the state is to live up to other commitments such as ensuring 20% of public service recruits from 2030 can speak Irish and services can finally be delivered to Gaeltacht communities in their own language as was called for as far back as 1926.
“None of that can happen if Minister Norma Foley and her Department continue to sit back and do nothing beyond commissioning reports and engaging in consultation process after consultation process.
“In my constituency and the next door constituency, kids, parents and teachers have been out campaigning for years for local Irish medium schooling where there is none, for a Gaelscoil in the case of Dublin 10 and 12, and in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 8 for a second-level school (Gaelcholáiste) to cater for the pupils of local Gaelscoileanna. The response from Minister Foley has been silence.
“It’s time the right of every child in Ireland to access Irish-medium education if they so choose was respected, and that requires a plan from government to deliver.”
(ENGLISH BELOW)
Inniú, mar chuid de phróiseas comhairliúcháin an rialtais maidir le polasaí don oideachas lánGhaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a ullmhú, d’fhoilsigh Sinn Féin an aighneacht atá curtha isteach acu.
Déanann an t-aighneacht bunchuspóirí molta ag Sinn Féin don chóras oideachais i leith na Gaeilge a leagan amach, chomh maith le bearnaí a aithint agus freagraí ar na mórcheisteanna curtha mar chuid den phróiseas comhairliúcháin.
Dúirt urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD:
“Mar is gnách leis an rialtas seo, tá an polasaí mall, an próiseas comhairliúcháin lochtach, agus an cur chuige easnamhach agus srianta. Dúradh go bhfoilseofá an polasaí anuraidh, níor cuireadh tús leis an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin ach le déanaí, agus tá neamhaird iomlán déanta ar oideachas tríú-leibhéal nó níos déanaí sa saol.
“É sin ráite, fáiltíonn Sinn Féin roimh an deis ár ladar a chur sa scéal maidir le polasaí don oideachas lánGhaeilge, agus tá súil againn go dtabharfar éisteacht don méid atá le rá againn.
“I measc na príomhmoltaí curtha chun cinn, táimid ag rá gur chóir glacadh leis mar cheart oideachas trí Ghaeilge a fháil, agus spriocanna céimneacha a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le soláthar chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar freastal ar an éileamh, agus an t-éileamh sin a fhás.
“Teastaíonn spriocanna uaillmhianacha má táimid dáiríre faoi dualgais eile reachtúla maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge i soláthair seirbhísí agus earcaíocht don státchóras, agus pleanáil straitéiseach taighdebhunaithe chun na spriocanna indéanta sin a bhaint amach.
Thacaigh urlabhraí Oideachais Shinn Féin, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, leis:
“D’éist Sinn Féin go géar leis an méid a bhí le rá ag Gaeloideachas agus eagrais eile faoin bpolasaí seo, agus tréaslaíonn muid iad as an sárobair déanta acu chun aird thuismitheoirí, múinteoirí agus soláthraí a tharraingt ar an deis seo athruithe suntasacha a dhéanamh ar chur chuige an stáit. Tá a lán dá gcuid moltaí le feiceáil san aighneacht seolta againn inniu.
“Tá tuairimí ar leith leagtha amach againn maidir le sholáthar múinteora, forbairt ghairmiúil leanúnach, áiseanna, riachtanais speisialta oideachais, éagsúlacht agus ionchuimsiú, agus ról an phobail ag tacú le hoideachas lánGhaeilge.
“Níl anseo ach moltaí áfach, agus fáiltíonn Sinn Féin i gcónaí roimh aiseolas ina leith. Táimid fós ag obair ar ár bpolasaí cuimsitheach don oideachas trí Gaeilge ón naíonra go dtí an tríú leibhéal agus ina dhiadh, de réir mar a bhí beartaithe ag Ard Fheis Shinn Féin na bliana 2021.
“Tá sé léirithe ag Airí Oideachais de chuid Shinn Féin ó Thuaidh ar nós Martin McGuinness conas is féidir difear mór millteach a dhéanamh le cur chuige úr agus uaillmhianach chun borradh a chur faoin oideachas lánGhaeilge, agus dá mbeadh rialtas Shinn Féin i gcumhacht sa stát seo bheadh an Ghaeilge lárnach mar phríomhthosaíocht ag an tAire Oideachais acu.”
(ENGLISH VERSION)
Sinn Féin publishes submission on Policy for Irish Medium Education – Aengus Ó Snodaigh & Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Today, as part of the consultation process underway by government in relation to preparing a policy for Irish medium education outside the Gaeltacht, Sinn Féin has published its submission.
The submission sets out the core principles Sinn Féin proposes for the education system with regards Irish, as well as identifying gaps and suggesting answers to the main questions put as part of the consultation process.
Sinn Féin’s Irish language, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, said:
“As per usual with this government, this policy is late, the consultation process is flawed, and the approach is lacking and restrictive. We were told the policy would be published last year, the consultation process has only recently begun, and third level and later life education have been totally ignored.
“That said, Sinn Féin welcomes the opportunity to feed into the policy for Irish medium education, and we hope that what we have to say here will be given a proper hearing.
“Amongst the key recommendations we are putting forward here, we say that access to Irish medium education should be treated as a right, and progressive targets should be put in place in terms of provision to ensure that demand is not alone satisfied, but grown.
“Ambitious targets are needed if we are serious about other statutory obligations towards the use of Irish in the provision of services and recruitment for the public service, as is strategic evidence-based planning to reach those achievable targets.”
Sinn Féin’s Education spokesperson, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, agreed:
“Sinn Féin has listened closely to what Gaeloideachas and other organisations have had to say on this policy, and we commend the work they have put in to draw the attention of parents, teachers and providers to this opportunity to significantly change the state’s approach. Many of their proposals can be seen in the submission we have sent in today.
“We outline ideas relating to the supply of teachers, continuous professional development, resources, special needs education, diversity and inclusion, and the role of the community in supporting Irish medium education.
“These are only proposals however, and Sinn Féin welcomes feedback. We continue to work on a comprehensive policy for education through Irish from naíonra to third level and beyond, as was agreed by the 2021 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.
“Sinn Féin Education Ministers in the north, like Martin McGuinness, have shown the big difference a fresh approach and ambition can make to put wind in the sails of Irish medium education, and if a Sinn Féin government were in charge in this state, Irish would be a top priority for the Minister for Education.”
Chuir Urlabhraí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta, Ealaíon agus Cultúir Shinn Féin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, fáilte roimh fhógra an rialtais go bhfuil sé i gceist acu faoi dheireadh thoghcháin a thabhairt ar ais do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta, mar a bhí á lorg ag Sinn Féin, ach léirigh sé imní faoin gcóras molta ag an Aire Martin agus an Aire Stáit Chambers.
Dúirt an Teachta Ó Snodaigh, atá ina Chathaoirleach ar Chomhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobail Labhartha na Gaeilge a dhéanfaidh scrúdú ar mholadh an rialtais:
“Faoi dheireadh, ghéill an rialtas don bhrú ollmhór ó Shinn Féin agus ó phobal na Gaeltachta agus an cinneadh glactha acu toghcháin a thabhairt ar ais don Údarás.
“Tar éis na blianta den mhoilleadóireacht ó glacadh an cinneadh scannalach ar an gcéad dul síos fáil réidh leis na toghcháin don Údarás, tá an rialtas faoi dheireadh tar éis cloí leis an méid a gheall Mícheál Martin i 2020, rud a bhí á lorg ag Sinn Féin leis na blianta.
“Is léir nach raibh gá leis na hathbhreithnithe agus an comhairliúchán ar fad – tuigeadh ó thús gur gá na toghcháin a thabhairt ar ais.
“Tréaslaíonn muid gur tugadh éisteacht dúinn maidir le caighdeán B2 a chinntiú i gcás aon chomhalta don bhord, agus ba chóir go mbainfeadh coinníoll mar sin le haon róil nó boird stáit atá feidhm suntasach acu i dtaobh na Gaeilge de.
“É sin ráite, tá imní orainn faoin struchtúr nua atá curtha chun cinn ag an rialtas.
“Daonláthas iomlán a chóir a bheith i gceist le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta.
“Ní le hAire ar leith an tÚdarás. Is leis an phobal an tÚdarás.
“Cén fáth mar sin atá 6 as an 16 comhalta le bheith roghnaithe gan toghchán? Ní ghlacfar len a leithéid ar chomhairle contae nó cathrach, go gcuirfear roghnúcháin neamhtofa ar chomhchéim le ionadaithe an phobail. Séard a bhí i gceist leis an Údarás ó tharla Gluaiseacht Ceartha Shibhialta na Gaeltachta ná go mbeadh guth láidir ag an phobal san fhorbairt áitiúil, ní ag feidhmeannaigh roghnaithe ag an státsheirbhís. Níor tugadh aon míniú i bhfógra na hAirí don moladh frithdhaonlathach seo ach an oiread.
“Ba chóir go mbeadh gach comhalta de Bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta tofa.
“B’fhéidir an rud is measa faoin bhfógra seo ná go bhfuil maolú eile á gcur ag na hAirí Gaeltachta ar na thoghcháin a thabhairt ar ais. Cén fáth 2025? Tá pobal na Gaeltachta ag fanacht anois ó 2012.
“Ba chóir go mbeadh na toghcháin ag tarlú ag an am céanna leis na toghcháin áitiúla agus Eorpacha i 2024, agus gach cúig bliain leis na toghcháin sin as sin amach.
“Tar éis an comhairliúchán agus athbhreithniú go léir, níor tugadh moladh ar bith maidir le conas cothromaíocht inscne a chur chun cinn, rud atá tubaisteach ó thaobh an dá Aire de.
“Ar ndóigh, tabharfaidh Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobail Labhartha na Gaeilge faoin dúshlán le linn an grinnscrúdú féachaint ar conas an cothromaíocht inscne a chinntiú agus conas dul i ngleic leis na fadhbanna eile atá sonraithe in Údarás na Gaeltachta agus sa Ghaeltacht leis na blianta anuas chun a chinntiú gur eagras pobalbhunaithe a bheidh ann a thabharfaidh guth láidir agus cosaint don Ghaeltacht sna blianta romhainn.”
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, has welcomed the growing momentum behind the campaign to name the new National Children’s Hospital in honour of the party’s former Vice-President and TD from 1923-1927, Dr. Kathleen Lynn; the only female commandant of the Easter Rising.
The Sinn Féin TD who represents the Dublin South Central constituency where the hospital is situated said:
“It is great to see more and more support for naming the new children’s hospital after pioneering medic, suffragette and 1916 hero Dr. Kathleen Lynn.
“For the best part of a decade, Sinn Féin has been actively campaigning for this move, and we reiterate that call today.
“Since 2013, I have personally written to three Ministers for Health – James Reilly, Leo Varadkar, and Simon Harris – to seek their support for this campaign.
“It is heartening, if not also somewhat bemusing, to see members of Fianna Fáil in particular becoming vocal champions for this cause of late, given that their party voted against my own proposal to name the hospital after Dr. Lynn in 2018.
“Had my amendment to the Children’s Health Bill been adopted, the hospital would be officially named as the Kathleen Lynn National Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, the decision of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs to vote against the move at the time has robbed elected politicians of the chance to decide the name, leaving the final say instead in the hands of the unelected hospital board.
“This is the most expensive hospital in world history, and certainly one of the most expensive pieces of infrastructure in the history of this State. It is fitting that the State should use this opportunity to give recognition to an inspirational woman who played a pivotal role fighting for our freedom, as well as a seminal role founding a children’s hospital in St. Ultan’s and introducing the BCG vaccine to Ireland. Her legacy lives on in the countless people alive today because of its success in combatting tuberculosis.
“I was privileged to attend the unveiling of a painting in Leinster House celebrating Kathleen Lynn’s significance in our history; a symbol of all the women who were not only written out of history, but whose stories were in many cases never written in to begin with. There is appreciation for Dr. Lynn not only across parties in the Dáil, but among historians, medics and wider society.
“What is needed now is for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to put the words of his Fianna Fáil colleagues into action and bring pressure to bear on the hospital board to adopt the name of Dr. Kathleen Lynn once and for all.”
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin today agreed when questioned by Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, to his proposal to repurpose the multi-million underspend resulting from the six-month delay to payments of the Basic Income for the Arts.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson welcomed the announcement, saying the money must be used to help struggling artists who failed to secure the Basic Income.
Teachta Ó Snodaigh said:
“I have been seeking clarity for months as to how the unspent portion of the €25 million budget allocation for the Basic Income for the Arts would be spent. Minister Martin’s commitment is welcome.
“It was also welcome to hear that payments have finally started being issued for those lucky enough to be selected for the Basic Income scheme.
“When funding was first announced for the scheme, the Minister promised that payments would begin in April 2022. In the end, applications only opened in April, and roll-out of payments was delayed on three subsequent occasions, leaving artists at their wits end.
“It is great to see delivery at last for what has been described as a ‘game-changer’ for the arts, and Sinn Féin has engaged constructively with workers and creators in the sector as well as with government seeking as best a scheme as possible and for its timely introduction.
“It is important however to recognise that of the 8,000 eligible applicants, the vast majority were not successful and will not be receiving any payments, and because the scheme was set up to be a random allocation, we know selection was not based on need.
“Many others simply did not apply because of a lack of assurances that they wouldn’t be stripped of vital social welfare supports like disability allowance as a result, something Ministers Martin and Heather Humphreys sadly failed to address despite the work of the Disabled Artists Disabled Academics campaign to highlight the injustice.
“I have long been calling for funding to be provided to address the hardship in the arts sector – whether it is individual artists and musicians who have been struggling to put food on the table between the lack of work during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis now, or the arts centres the length and breadth of the country that are in a state of disrepair and not fit for purpose.
“The remainder of the €25 million that was not spent this year – which could be as much as €20 million in available unused funding – could go a long way towards easing those pressures and addressing that need.
“I look forward to seeing the detailed plans promised by Minister Martin, which she has already confirmed 'will support artists, energy supports they need and the issues that affect the arts'.
“This is a validation of what Sinn Féin has been demanding for our artistic community for years.”
