The Government's proposed Language Act was the central talking point at Tóstal na Gaeilge. The biannual event, held in Galway over the weekend, heard the Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Mr Eamon Ó Cuív, tell 200 delegates from Irish-language groups throughout Ireland that the prepartory work on the Bill had been sourced out and that the legislation was being prepared as a matter of urgency.
The Act aims to provide services in Irish from State and semi-State organisations and is regarded as being central to the survival of the language by many Irish speakers. Despite Government assurances that the Bill would be available early this year, it has still to be published.
Speaking on the same panel, Mr Michael D. Higgins, TD said that language pertained to identity and self respect. It was important, he said, that market values did not determine the fate of Irish. There was a need to continue developing the infrastructure which supported the language. To that end, it was vital that the Language Bill be published and enacted.
The Tóstal was organised to prepare an agreed language manifesto for all parties in time for the general election.