Lean Teachta Dála Shinn Féin do Chiarraí, Pa Daly, lena iarratas ar an Stát macasamhail na Breataine Bige a leanúint leis an Ghaeilge chun cinn ar chomharthaíocht an Stáit.

Dúirt an Teachta Daly:

“Tharraing mise ceist na comharthaíochta aníos inné leis an Aire Catherine Martin agus an tAire Stáit Jack Chambers. Is ait liom galldú an Bhéarla a fheicéail thar logainmneacha dúcháis na tíre seo ar chomharthaíocht.

“D’fheic mise isteach ar an scéal agus creidim go ndéanfadh athrach ar threoir comharthaíocht d’eagrais Stáit and scéal seo a chur i gceart. Le hord amháin ón Aire, tabharfar tús áite don Ghaeilge ar aon chomharthaí nua, amhlaidh leis an sceal leis an Bhreatnais sa Bhreatain Bheag.

“Níl fadhb buiséid ann anseo, óir go ndéanfar comharthaí nua le cur in áit na séanchinn. Scríbh mise chuig an tAire Martin agus an tAire Stáit Chambers agus táim ag súil go mór lena bhfreagra.

“Dúirt Brian Friel, ina dhráma ‘Translations’, go maith é ‘’it can happen that a civilisation can be imprisoned in a linguistic contour which no longer matches the landscape.’ Le himeacht ama, d’fhéadfadh linn an scéal a chur ina cheart agus fíor-ainmneach na háite seo a bheith arís orthu.”

Regulations on signage must prioritise the Irish language – Pa Daly TD

Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has continued his call for the State to emulate Wales in prioritising the Irish language on signage.

Teachta Daly said:

“I raised the matter of signage yesterday with Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Jack Chambers. It is strange to see English language translations of Irish place names take precedence in signs.

“I have reviewed the matter and believe a change in the regulations on signage for State bodies could resolve this. With a simple order from the Minister, the Irish language could be given priority for any new signs, as is the case with the Welsh language in Wales.

“This change also raises no budgetary issues, as new signs will be made to replace older ones regardless. I have written to Minister Martin and Minister Chambers on the matter and look forward to their response.

“Brian Friel, in his play ‘Translations’, put it well when he said ‘it can happen that a civilisation can be imprisoned in a linguistic contour which no longer matches the landscape.’ Over time, we could look to rectify that damage and have these places once again known by their true names.”