There were positive signs that the Irish language was flourishing, Ms Liz O'Donnell (PD, Dublin South) said yesterday.
"There has been a strong growth in gaelscoileanna in many areas of the country and, indeed, in my own constituency of Dublin South. There are a host of classes, cultural groups and clubs which is an indicator of continuing and emerging interest in the Irish language, culture and dance amongst young and old.
"Our Gaeltacht colleges host thousands of youngsters every year and, in my view, within this cocktail of summer holidays and juvenile freedom, is to be found the secret ingredient which could inform Government policy for the more successful teaching of Irish in our schools." Ms O'Donnell was speaking during the resumed debate on a Private Member's motion, from Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party, calling on the Government to have Irish recognised as an official EU language.
Although the Government accepted the motion, it opposed amendments from Sinn Féin and the Independents requiring the Government to request the EU Commission to implement the motion and report back on the response by June 1st.
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the Government was happy to see the motion being passed, but did not want to do anything to ensure that the will of the Oireachtas would be acted upon.
