My old pals Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell will take the platform at Farmleigh House this morning, before the last meeting in 2006 of the Irish Cabinet, to launch a new government statement on the Irish language.
The unprecedented statement is the brainchild of Minister Éamon Ó Cuív and was drafted in conjunction with Fóram na Gaeilge, the think tank established by the Galway TD and grandson of Dev in 2004. Spelling out 13 core objectives of Irish Government policy on the Irish language, the statement will now form the springboard of a new government strategy on An Ghaeilge between now and 2026. I'm among over 20 Irish speakers appointed to serve on Fóram na Gaeilge and given the task of outlining the major challenges for Irish and suggesting how they should be tackled. Last night we gathered in Oifigí an Taoisigh (The Taoiseach's Offices) in Merrion Square, Dublin, for a private launch of the Government Statement before it is released to the press this morning.
It's takes a lot of courage to look that far ahead and envisage a bilingual Ireland but major steps forward have been taken in recent years, even as the Gaeltacht areas come under increasing pressure. The advances include the Languages Act, full working status for Irish in the EU, the growth of TG4 and the professionalisation of the Irish language movement.
The 13 objectives in the government statement constitute a bottom line for future governments and will make it much more difficult for Fine Gael under Edna Kenny to succeed in its plans to diminish the standing of Irish in the educational system.
Taken together with the proposed Irish Language Act in the North, now out to consultation, this latest development leaves An Ghaeilge geared up for further progress. Some of my colleagues aren't as enthused or as enthusiastic about the new Irish Language Act for the North as I am, cynics all they see the Act being undermined already by unionists within and without the civil service aided and abetted by British politicians. I, on the other hand, like to travel in hope....
On the print version of my blog, which appears each Monday in the Andersonstown News, I treat readers to a "Monday Quote". Last week's was, "when they discover the centre of the earth, a lot of people are going to be disappointed it isn't them." This week's by Mel Brooks was, "If God wanted us to fly, he would have given us tickets."
Do you believe Jeffrey?
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
a mhairtin
ta se rud beag crua a bheith tabhairt "cinics" ar dhaoine a thacaionn le act na gaeilge o thuaidh ach a shileann go gcuirfidh na haontachtaithe o mhaith e ma ta an cumhacht acu. i dtaca le foram na gaeilge de o dheas ta suil agam gur ghlac siad le comhairle eamonn ui cuiv nuair a duirt se tamall o shin gurbh fearr leis gaeilge a bheith le feiceail ar bhocsa cornflakes na go mbeadh raidhse mor de phaipeiri dlithiula a naistriu go gaeilge
le meas an seanduine doite
This one of the most moronic, idiotic things that this government has come up with. And after the confirmation that it is OK to steal €45 million because you are in charge this is saying something.
Following the ABJECT FAILURE of DeValera and his cronies to make Ireland a pious, ignorant, Irish speaking Roman Catholic theocracy they come out with this bullshit.
I am Irish. I think that Irish is a beautiful language. But it is dead. It died in the 19th Century. RIP.
We have tried and tried and tried to revive it but after being confused by it for 14 years very few will speak it voluntarily.
To try and force the language on the people now after all the abuse, corruption and lies is adding insult to injury.
I do not care if some fascist gaelgoir thinks that I am less Irish because I don't speak Irish. Let them throw their ire at the abusive Catholic Church, The abuse of the people by the so called patriots in Fianna Fail and the abuse of the language by Sinn Fein and the IRA.
I am Irish. I speak English. Irish is dead. GET OVER IT.
Post a Comment