The Government was urged to use the EU presidency to have Irish recognised as an official EU language.
Labour, Fine Gael and the Green Party made the proposal in a motion moved in Private Members' time. The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the motion was being moved in a positive spirit, providing the Government with the opportunity to join with all sides of the House in supporting it.
"In particular, I want to avoid some tendencies that have bedevilled too many political debates on the Irish language and language policy.
"One is a natural reaction to the perceived attitude of mind of a small minority of Gaeilgeoirí - a mixture of superiority tinged with some scorn for those who through no fault of their own do not, like them, have the language." Another factor, he added, was the off-putting effect of the lip service by officialdom to the linguistic cause, particularly in the spheres of administrative action and politics.
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, said he welcomed the debate, adding that the Government accepted the spirit of the motion. He warned, however, that it was important that Ireland was not seen to be expecting more of the EU than it was prepared to provide for itself.
"In this regard, I would caution that it would be unrealistic to expect concrete outcomes during our presidency, and, arguably, it is inappropriate to seek to use the presidency function for this purpose."
Mr Fergus O'Dowd (FG, Louth) said the Minister should use his influence at the Cabinet table to deliver on the issue.
The debate continues.
