Maolíosa McHugh
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“At present, they are largely dependent on borrowing through the Department's capital arrangements, which can limit their flexibility and their capacity to compete with ports elsewhere across these islands. The Bill represents an opportunity to address those issues.”
“Importantly, there will continue to be accountability and oversight through board structures, including representation from locally elected council members, as is already the case at Belfast harbour. That public connection and democratic input is an important safeguard, and one that should provide reassurance.”
“Tá céimeanna beaga ann is féidir linn uilig a ghlacadh lenár sláinte a fheabhsú: scrúdú sláinte a chur in áirithe leis an dochtúir; bheith ag labhairt go hoscailte faoin mheabhairshláinte; páirt a ghlacadh i mbothán na bhfear nó i ngrúpa siúlóide; nó bheith páirteach in aclaíocht eile. Cuireann siad uilig feabhas ar an tsláinte.”
“I welcome the introduction of the Harbours Bill, and I commend Minister Liz Kimmins for introducing legislation that seeks to modernise the framework within which ports operate. <BR /> <BR />Our ports are critical pieces of economic infrastructure.”
“Tháinig deireadh le Seachtain Shláinte na bhFear ag deireadh na seachtaine seo a chuaigh thart, ar Lá na nAithreacha. Is cuí gur le linn Sheachtain Shláinte na bhFear a thit Lá na nAithreacha, nó is minic a shíleann na fir nach bhfuil an dara rogha acu ach saighdiúireacht a dhéanamh.”
“They support employment, facilitate trade, enhance connectivity and contribute significantly to our local and regional economies. My party therefore welcomes the introduction of the Harbours Bill and looks forward to engaging constructively as it is progressed through the Assembly to ensure that it delivers for our ports, our economy and…”
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“Minister, how does the Department work with councils when road infrastructure forms part of a planning approval?”
“They support employment, facilitate trade, enhance connectivity and contribute significantly to our local and regional economies. My party therefore welcomes the introduction of the Harbours Bill and looks forward to engaging constructively as it is progressed through the Assembly to ensure that it delivers for our ports, our economy and the communities that rely on them.”
“Importantly, there will continue to be accountability and oversight through board structures, including representation from locally elected council members, as is already the case at Belfast harbour. That public connection and democratic input is an important safeguard, and one that should provide reassurance. As a party, Sinn Féin has been clear that it does not support the free port model. The legislation is not about creating free ports, nor is it about transferring publicly held assets into private hands. Rather, it is about ensuring that our existing trust ports have the tools that they need to operate effectively in an increasingly competitive environment, while retaining their unique status and public purpose. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, strong and successful ports benefit all of us.”
“At present, they are largely dependent on borrowing through the Department's capital arrangements, which can limit their flexibility and their capacity to compete with ports elsewhere across these islands. The Bill represents an opportunity to address those issues. By updating governance arrangements and providing ports with greater commercial agility, we can help to ensure that they remain competitive, continue to attract investment and strengthen their contribution to economic growth. <BR /> <BR />Some have expressed concerns that the proposals may be a step towards privatisation. I do not believe that that is the case. They will continue to operate for the benefit of the public interest rather than private shareholders, and any profits generated will still have to be reinvested back into the port and its operations.”
“I welcome the introduction of the Harbours Bill, and I commend Minister Liz Kimmins for introducing legislation that seeks to modernise the framework within which ports operate. <BR /> <BR />Our ports are critical pieces of economic infrastructure. From Belfast to Larne, Derry, Warrenpoint and Coleraine, they serve as gateways through which much of our trade flows, supporting jobs, businesses and communities right across the North. Ensuring that they are equipped to respond to modern commercial challenges is, therefore, an important objective. For many years, trust ports have highlighted constraints in the existing legislative arrangements, particularly around access to finance and their ability to invest strategically for the future.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as Bille na gCuanta a mholadh.”
“Minister, will there be a further round of funding?”
“Is le linn cuairt chuig an dochtúir a d’fhoghlaim mé go raibh galar orm a rachadh go mór faoi mo shláinte dá bhfágfaí gan cóireáil é. Ba é sin an chéad chéim. Ná fanaimis go Seachtain Shláinte na bhFear leis an chéad chéim a ghlacadh. Ach is lena linn ba chóir dúinn na céimeanna breise a ghlacadh le feabhas a chur ar ár sláinte.”
“Tá céimeanna beaga ann is féidir linn uilig a ghlacadh lenár sláinte a fheabhsú: scrúdú sláinte a chur in áirithe leis an dochtúir; bheith ag labhairt go hoscailte faoin mheabhairshláinte; páirt a ghlacadh i mbothán na bhfear nó i ngrúpa siúlóide; nó bheith páirteach in aclaíocht eile. Cuireann siad uilig feabhas ar an tsláinte. Má ghlacann muid an t-am le haire a thabhairt dúinn féin anois, tabharfaidh sé níos mó ama dúinn sa todhchaí. <BR /> <BR />Is le linn gnáthscrúdú sláinte a d’fhoghlaim mé féin go raibh an leibhéal iarainn i mo chuid fola ard. Deimhníodh gur haemacrómatóis a bhí ann. Is galar oidhreachta í haemacrómatóis, agus cé go gcuirfeadh fuaim an fhocail scanradh ar dhuine, is féidir í a chóireáil trí fhuil a tharraingt go rialta - cosúil le deonú fola.”
“Tháinig deireadh le Seachtain Shláinte na bhFear ag deireadh na seachtaine seo a chuaigh thart, ar Lá na nAithreacha. Is cuí gur le linn Sheachtain Shláinte na bhFear a thit Lá na nAithreacha, nó is minic a shíleann na fir nach bhfuil an dara rogha acu ach saighdiúireacht a dhéanamh. Ach, le fírinne, nuair atáimid ag tabhairt aire dúinn féin, táimid ag tabhairt aire do na daoine sin atá thart orainn, do na daoine sin atá ag brath orainn agus do na daoine sin atá i dtuilleamaí orainn. <BR /> <BR />Ba é téama Sheachtain Shláinte na bhFear i mbliana ná "Céim ar Chéim – Forbairt, Ní Foirfeacht".”
“I know that she has referred to this in a previous answer, but will the First Minister agree that those in political leadership must be mindful of the language they use because that is an essential part of tackling racism, sectarianism and xenophobia in our country?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin.”
“In his statement, he said that the scheme would eventually be rolled out to Newry, Craigavon, Lisburn, Belfast and Derry. The locations are all cities, with the exception of Dungannon. I hope that, in future, rural areas will be considered as well. However, my immediate question is this, Minister: when can we expect the 300 new homes to be built and have tenants living in them?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Minister, what plan do you have to improve the condition of the road network?”
“Ar an lá seo, gabhaimid ár mbuíochas leo siúd a théann in araicis na contúirte le daoine a chosaint agus atá ag obair ar son na síochána buaine.”
“Scriosadh otharcharranna na n-oibrithe sláinte agus na bhfreagróirí éigeandála san Iaráin, agus rinnneadh damáiste dá mbunáiteanna. Ní taismí tragóideacha iad sin ach cuid d’fheachtas iad ina ndéantar na daoine sin a chosnaíonn dínit an duine a aimsiú d’aonturas. Tá coicís ó shin tháinig Iosrael roimh chabhlachán lóin a bhí ag tabhairt cabhrach go Gaza. Rinneadh 428 de na rannpháirtithe a fhuadach, agus chuaigh Itamar Ben-Gvir a mhagadh fúthu. Is léir ó na gníomhartha sin go bhfuil stát Iosrael beag beann ar an dlí idirnáisiúnta agus ar údarás an phobail idirnáisiúnta. <BR /> <BR />Beidh tuigbheáil ag muintir an oileáin s’againn do théama na bliana seo — ag infheistiú sa tsíocháin. Is ar an idirphlé agus ar an tacaíocht idirnáisiúnta atá an próiseas s’againne féin na síochána bunaithe.”
“Rinne muid Lá Idirnáisiúnta Coimeádaithe Síochána na Náisiún Aontaithe a cheiliúradh Dé hAoine seo caite. Athdhearbhaimid an lá sin ár dtiomantas do bheith ag infheistiú sa tsíocháin, arbh é téama an lae idirnáisiúnta i mbliana é. Rinne muid Lá Domhanda na Croise Deirge agus an Chorráin Dheirg a chomóradh tá cúpla seachtain ó shin. Is den chuibheas é aitheantas, urraim agus moladh a thabhairt do na daoine sin a théann sa bhearna bhaoil le daoine a chosaint, ach ní fiú a dhath iad na laethanta comórtha céanna má thugaimid neamhaird ar a bhfuil ag tarlú do choimeádaithe síochána. <BR /> <BR />Rinneadh ionsaithe ón aer agus ón talamh ar áiseanna daonnúla in Gaza, bhuail siad in aice le stórais de chuid na Náisiún Aontaithe agus cuireadh feithiclí fóirithinte ó mhaith.”
“Minister, it is welcome that the Departments have made road safety a permanent agenda feature, recognising in particular the high rate of accidents that we tend to have in the border areas, where I live. Will you outline steps that will be taken to address the issue for border areas and the nature of the rural roads there?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“The challenge of the report, therefore, is for the Minister to listen, act and ensure that local government is recognised not simply as a stakeholder in this work but as an essential partner in delivering meaningful change for communities across the North.”
“Properly resourcing councils would allow them to continue to deliver vital support, ease the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on families, strengthen preventative services and build long-term, sustainable interventions that break cycles of poverty rather than simply managing crisis after crisis. <BR /> <BR />The report provides a clear road map. I want to leave you with its last paragraph:”
“<BR /> <BR />Some 80% of council income is solely from rates collection, and that must pay the bills. Rates collection must pay the wages of our brilliant council staff and the services that they deliver. The report rightly calls for multi-year, ring-fenced funding arrangements that move away from short-term firefighting and allow councils and community organisations to plan ahead properly. That is essential because tackling poverty cannot rely on yearly uncertainty. Late funding allocations are forcing local government to absorb increasing pressures through an already stretched rates base.”
“<BR /> <BR />Recommendation 1 is particularly important because it recognises what many of us already know, which is that local government and community planning partnerships must be formally embedded at the heart of delivery. Councils understand their communities. They know where the pressures exist. They know the local organisations delivering real change on the ground, and they have already demonstrated their ability to bring agencies and communities together in practical, effective ways. If we are serious about tackling poverty, councils must be centrally involved in shaping, coordinating and delivering that work, and that must come with proper support and resources. Councils cannot continue to carry additional financial burdens without sustainable funding from central government.”
“Time and again, councils are stepping in to support communities when they need it most. <BR /> <BR />The report highlights powerful examples. We heard about councils allocating hundreds of thousands of pounds from their own budgets to support vulnerable families. We heard about emergency fuel support schemes being overwhelmed within hours because the level of need is now so severe. We heard about community advice services bringing millions of pounds in unclaimed benefits back into local economies and about local interventions helping to tackle isolation, food insecurity and barriers to employment. That is essential work. The key message from the report, however, is clear: councils cannot continue to be treated as an afterthought in the development and delivery of an anti-poverty strategy. They have to be part of it.”
“The recent 'Report on Engagement with Local Government on the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy' is welcome and important. First, I place on record my sincere thanks to councils right across the North, their elected members and officers, community planning partnerships and the wider community and voluntary sector for the extraordinary work that they continue to do every single day to support people and families who are experiencing poverty and hardship. <BR /> <BR />We all know that councils are already on the front line of that work, whether delivering emergency hardship schemes, supporting social supermarkets, funding breakfast clubs, helping families with cost-of-living pressures, investing in labour market partnerships, supporting rural transport initiatives or coordinating local wrap-around services.”
“Goilleann an ghéarchéim sa chostas maireachtála ar gach duine, agus tá go leor teaghlach ag streachailt le greim a choinneáil faoin fhiacail. Ba mhasla é an t-airgead a thairg Rialtas na Breataine an mhí seo caite do theaghlaigh atá ag streachailt le díol as ola téite baile. Ní riarfaidh sé ar riachtanais na ndaoine ná ar leath a riachtanas. Is ionadaithe tofa sinn. Mar sin de, caithfimid a bheith ag obair i gcomhar, leis an ualach atá ar ár dtoghthóirí a éadtromú. <BR /> <BR />Ní mór dúinn bheith aireach ar ár struis féin fosta, pé acu struis phearsanta, struis oibre nó struis airgeadais iad. Caithfidh gach duine againn an t-am a ghlacadh lenár struis féin a aithint agus le dul i ngleic leo sa dóigh is go dtig linn bheith ar theann ár ndíchill.”
“Mí na Feasachta ar an Strus an mhí seo. Tugtar deis dúinn lena linn sos a ghlacadh agus ár machnamh a dhéanamh ar na gnéithe is strusmhaire inár saol agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar bhainistiú na strus sin. Is é téama mhí na feasachta i mbliana "Déan thusa an tAthrach". Spreagtar daoine le laghdú ar an strus trí theorainneacha a shuí, sosanna a ghlacadh agus nósanna sláintiúla a bhunú. Molaim do gach duine aird a thabhairt ar na céimeanna sin agus úsáid a bhaint astu. Tá sé tábhachtach againn, sa tSeomra seo, mar lucht déanta beartas agus mar ionadaithe tofa, a aithint gur féidir linne bheith mar chuid den athrú sin. <BR /> <BR />Is minic struis airgeadais na struis is troime a chuireann ar dhaoine.”
“The strengthened emphasis on public reporting and transparency is also to be welcomed, particularly where it leads to clear, practical recommendations that support improvement. Finally, the code's firm grounding in independence and professional standards is essential. Public confidence in the audit process depends on it. In summary, this is a balanced and modern framework. If applied consistently and proportionately, it will not only strengthen governance but help rebuild and sustain public trust where it has been tested.”
“It is not enough for accounts to be technically correct. There must be confidence that public money is being used effectively. We have seen clearly, through the work of the Audit Office, why that broader focus is necessary. In its extraordinary audit of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, published in July 2022, it found non-compliance with statutory requirements in land disposals, alongside inadequate procedures, weak internal controls, poor record-keeping and deficiencies in governance and oversight. <BR /> <BR />The focus on continuous performance improvement is positive, but we need to ensure that that remains proportionate and does not become an administrative burden that detracts from the delivery on the ground.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the draft code of audit practice. Overall, it represents a positive and necessary step forward in how local government audit is carried out. The move to a principles-based, risk-led approach is the right one. It reflects the reality that councils operate in different contexts and require a degree of flexibility in how audit is applied. However, that flexibility must be balanced with consistency. If the code is to work effectively, there needs to be clarity in how the principles are applied in practice. Without that, there is a risk of uneven expectations across councils. <BR /> <BR />The broader scope of audit is also welcome. Moving beyond financial compliance to include governance, value for money and performance improvement aligns with what the public rightly expect.”
“What is the Department's response to the Public Accounts Committee's 'Report on Road Openings by Utilities'?”
“Thousands of them lost their lives. Will it embrace all of that part of the history, too, Minister?”
“There is no doubt whatsoever about the enormous contribution that the Irish people have made to America over the past 250 years. It is only when you are in attendance in the likes of New York on St Patrick's Day — as I was, at my own expense — that you thoroughly appreciate the full extent and power of the Irish in America. However, we know that their positive contribution is not the whole story. When we talk about America250, will we also look at the negative aspects of the impact that many of our people made? I am thinking in particular of President Andrew Jackson, whose father was from Carrickfergus. He was the president who was responsible for what is known in American history as the "Trail of Tears", when the indigenous people were removed from their homes and transported to the other side of America.”
“Tá páirt le himirt againn go léir leis an chaoinfhulaingt agus an urraim a chothú ar fud na hÉireann. Nuair a sheasaimid le chéile i gcoinne an chiníochais, tógfaimid todhchaí dhearfach fhorásach. <BR /> <BR />Bhí deireadh le Ramadan agus le féile Eid al-Fitr Déardaoin seo caite. Mar sin de, tapaím an deis seo le "Eid Mubarak" a ghuí do dhaoine Moslamacha ar fud na hÉireann.”
“Níl mionlaigh ciontach as an ghéarchéim sa chostas maireachtála, agus na daoine sin a deir a mhalairt, caithfear iad a bhréagnú gach am is gach áit. Déanann daoine ón iomad cultúr, creideamh agus traidisiún, déanann sin pobail na hÉireann a shaibhriú; cuireann siad go mór lenár sochaí — go díreach mar a chuireann na hÉireannaigh le pobail eile ar fud an domhain. <BR /> <BR />Nuair a rinneadh ionsaithe ciníocha ar mhionlaigh ar na samhraí deireanacha anseo, sheas gnáthdhaoine gualainn má gualainn leis na híobartaigh. Níl aon áit ag an ioslamafóibe inár bpobail. Níl aon áit ag an chiníochas ná ag an leithcheal¬ — an frith-sheimíteachas, an homafóibe nó an fuath ar mhná ¬ — sna pobail s’againne. Cuimhníonn na laetha idirnáisiúnta seo dúinn gur saibhre an tsochaí againn de thairbhe na héagsúlachta.”
“Bhí an Lá Idirnáisiúnta leis an Ioslamafóibe a Chomhrac agus an Lá Idirnáisiúnta um Idirdhealú Ciníoch a Dhíothú ann an steachtain seo caite. Is cúis imní dúinn go bhfuil líon na gcoireanna fuatha in aghaidh Moslamach ag ardú ar fud an domhain. Léirítear i bhfigiúirí a tháinig amach le déanaí go bhfuil Moslamaigh ar cheann de na grúpaí is minice a ndéantar ionsaithe fuatha ar bhonn reiligiúin orthu ar fud na hEorpa. Cuimhnímis nach staitisticí atá i gceist ach íobartaigh atá ag fulaingt: ní féidir cur suas le hionsaithe ar theaghlaigh mar gheall ar a gcreideamh. <BR /> <BR />Agus an saol corrach atá inniu ann — tá an teannas sa Mheánoirthear ag gabháil chun donais agus tá Gaza á scrios go fóill — caithfimid bheith ar ár bhfaichill ar an réamhchlaonadh agus ar an naimhdeas le daoine mar gheall ar a gcreideamh nó a gcúlra.”
“How will simplified procurement procedures help to deliver small, local public-sector contracts in, for example, schools?”
“Minister, what engagement has there been with the Treasury and the Departments on the open-book exercise?”
“Tabharfaidh imeachtaí an lae amárach léargas dúinn ar an phléisiúr atá i ndán don chathair nuair a thiocfaidh an fhleadh sa tsamhradh, agus i samhradh na bliana seo chugainn fosta, nó d'fhógair Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann go bhfillfidh an fhleadh ar Bhéal Feirste sa bhliain 2027. <BR /> <BR />Molaim do gach duine páirt a ghlacadh sna himeachtaí áitiúla lenár gcultúr comhchoiteann, ár n-oidhreacht chomhchoiteann agus an éifeacht a rinne muid ar fud an domhain a cheiliúradh. Guím beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig daoibh go léir.”
“Beidh Lá Fhéile Pádraig ann amárach. Lá ar a ndéanfar gach a mbaineann le hÉirinn a cheiliúradh ar fud an domhain. Beidh ár gcultúr, ár n-oidhreacht agus an tionchar atá againn ar fud an domhain á gceiliúradh i ngach cearn den chruinne. Ó Bhéal Feirste go Nua-Eabhrac agus ó Sydney go Chicago, beidh na milliúin daoine ag ceiliúradh Lá Fhéile Pádraig le mórshiúlta, le ceol agus le hócáidí. <BR /> <BR />Cuimhníonn sé dúinn go láidir go bhfuil éifeacht dhomhanda ag cultúr na hÉireann agus go bhfuil bród ar dhaoine ar fud an domhain as a n-oidhreacht Éireannach. Beidh na milliúin daoine a mhothaíonn nasc le hÉirinn, trína nginealach nó tríd an mhéid a thug muid don domhan, beidh sin ag ceiliúradh ár n-oileáin. Beidh mórshiúl againn i lár chathair Bhéal Feirste, agus ina dhiaidh sin beidh Ceiliúradh Mór na Féile Pádraig ann.”
“I ré seo na scáileán, tá cumhacht ar leith ag baint le bheith ag léamh ar mhaithe le pléisiúr. Cuireann sé suaimhneas ionainn. Leathnaíonn sé ár n-intinn.”
“Cuidíonn leabharlanna agus leabhair le cothrom na Féinne a chothú, trí rochtain saor in aisce ar scéalta, spásanna staidéir agus ábhair oideachais riachtanacha a thabhairt do pháistí atá faoi mhíbhuntáiste, rud a chinntíonn nach mbíonn deiseanna á gcúngú ag ioncam, gléasanna ná cúinsí baile. Is moil eolais iad leabharlanna. Is moil phobail iad agus is spásanna teo iad fosta i ngéarchéim costais maireachtála iad, agus spreagann siad an tsamhlaíocht. <BR /> <BR />Thug Éire cuid scríbhneoirí iontacha don domhan, ní hé amhain i nGailege ach i mBéarla fosta: CS Lewis, James Joyce agus Seamus Heaney agus go leor, leor eile nach iad. Léiríonn a saothar a chumhachtaí atá focail. Tugann an litearthacht uirlisí do dhaoine a nguth agus a samhlaíocht féin a mhúnlú.”
“Chuaigh páistí ar fud an domhain ar scoil Déardaoin seo caite agus iad gléasta mar na carachtair ab fhearr leo agus iad ag ceiliúradh Lá Domhanda na Leabhar. Ba é téama Lá Domhanda na Leabhar i mbliana "ag Léamh ar mhaithe le Pléisiúr", téama a roghnaíodh le dul i ngleic leis an mheath atá ag teacht ar an taitneamh a bhaineann daoine as an léitheoireacht. <BR /> <BR />Tá an domhan ag éirí níos digití i rith an ama — mura bhfuil muid ag féachaint ar dhá scáileán ag an am chéanna táimid ag gruaimscrolláil — agus tá ár réise aire ag crapadh agus meirg ag teacht ar bhua na samhlaíochta againn dá réir. Níl rochtain ag gach páiste ar na seirbhísí sruthaithe ná ar ábhar ar líne, agus sin an fáth a bhfuil luach ar leith ag ár leabharlanna.”
“The deputy First Minister will know that the VSS is a key pillar in the provision of essential services to victims and survivors of the conflict. Given that, will she explain why there are four outstanding appointments to its board? Those appointments should have been made following a public appointments process.”
“That brings me back to Awaab's law. Extending its principles, clear legal duties, strict time frames and real enforcement across the social housing and private rented sectors is the responsible thing to do. It is not about just fixing walls or drying out rooms; it is about setting a new Decent Homes Standard that is meaningful, enforceable and backed by law. An extension of Awaab's law will ensure that no child, family or tenant is left waiting while their health is put at risk. For that reason, I support the SDLP amendment.”
“We should not have to rely on families who are often fearful of the consequences having to complain before action is taken. We should not accept a system in which the most vulnerable are the least protected. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 1 is right to call for:”
“If we are serious about prevention, about reducing pressure on the health service and about basic human dignity, we need a new, enforceable, Decent Homes Standard that sets a clear baseline for what people in the North can expect for their homes. <BR /> <BR />Crucially, amendment No 1 shines light on an area that is too often overlooked: single-let temporary accommodation. People who are placed in temporary accommodation are often there because they are already in crisis. However, as the amendment makes clear, much of that accommodation is not subject to routine ongoing inspection with responsibility sitting with private providers, while the Housing Executive acts as an intermediary only when problems are reported. That is not good enough.”
“We know the facts: damp and mould drive respiratory disease, worsen asthma and place a real and lasting burden on children, older people and families who are, often, already under pressure. The tragic death of Awaab Ishak is, unfortunately, the catalyst that has driven the introduction of Awaab's law, and I, like many others, have witnessed the same circumstances in private lets and, unfortunately, in Housing Executive tenancies, where blame and responsibility have been left with the residents and their lifestyle. <BR /> <BR />Too much of our housing stock is old, poorly insulated and simply not fit for the climate reality that we now face. Retrofitting is not a luxury; it is a public health intervention.”
“Ar na hiarrachtaí sin, bhí: bunú Chonradh na Gaeilge sa bhliain 1893; obair Dhúbhghlais de Híde agus Phádraig Mhic Phiarais; agus foghlaim na Gaeilge i gcásanna na Ceise Fada — iad uilig ag cur le hathbheochan atá faoi lán seoil anois. Ceapadh Coimisinéir Gaeilge le déanaí, céim ollmhór chun tosaigh i gcaomhnú agus i gcur chun cinn ár dteanga. <BR /> <BR />Ag seo teachtaireacht shoiléir Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Máthairtheangacha: beatha teanga í a labhairt.”