David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Acting Chairman for that. I had a very good Irish teacher, the late Frank Peters from Cork, and as a result of his ministrations I believe I am the only person around who is still a member of the Peig Sayers fan club and appreciation society. For people like me, it opened up a whole world that I had not suspected, the world of the old Gaelic life as survived out on the islands in the western part of the country. I found it immensely moving and remarkable.

The Minister will not be surprised to learn that the issue of the Irish language arose on the Order of Business today, partly related to this Bill, which I believe everybody has welcomed, but also in the general context of the decline of the Irish language, which I am afraid still seems to be the case. I hope it can be recused. Developments such as Teilifís na Gaeilge are extremely good. I watch TG4 with the little notes of translation——