A chara, – Miriam Lord’s Dáil Sketch describes how I took the opportunity to wish Martin Ferris a happy birthday during Leaders’ Questions (September 19th). She writes, “Speaking in Irish, and at some length, he revealed that Martin had reached the fine age of 60.”
Not so. Mar eolas daoibh, I wished Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin a happy birthday. The Taoiseach joined me. Indeed he suggested “go mbeadh lá saoire náisiúnta ann le lá breithe an Teachta Ó Caoláin a cheiliúradh”. He may have been joking. He went on to say very graciously that he hoped “go mbeidh lá breá ag an Teachta agus go n-éireoidh leis féin agus lena chlann an lá a cheiliúradh”.
So my diction can’t be blamed. Not this time.
Martin Ferris wasn’t mentioned. In either language. For the record, his birthday is on February 10th. Maybe that could be the Lá Saoire Náisiúnta for Caoimhghín? – Is mise,
GERRY ADAMS, TD
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.