Suirbhé ag teastáil go géar!

A Survey is badly needed!

by | 2023/07/26 | Language Affairs, Politics

A Survey is badly needed!

I read an interesting article on 'tuarisc.ie' recently written by Máire Ní Fhinneadha and it got me thinking. She wrote about data from the 2022 census and the number of people who speak Irish every day in the Gaeltacht in the Language Planning Areas. Máire was surprised that the experts didn't have much to say and especially that they didn't give us any advice based on those results. She said that 43% in her own area in the Gaeltacht claimed to be daily speakers, but she then made a good point that it was most likely the heads of families - adults - who filled in the census form, although the most important information about speaking the language at a young age. Máire did her own informal research in Cois Farraige.

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Patrúin úsáide na teanga

Máire identified three patterns in relation to the use of the language in her own area, in my opinion:

1. Bilingual use. Máire heard young men chatting together on the bus. They were speaking English one minute and Irish the next, switching languages back and forth without realizing it.
2. Language delivery from generation to generation. Máire saw another pattern at work when family members were talking together. The adults in the family talk to each other in Irish, but only English is spoken to the little boys.

Máire saw something that was both funny and sad. A young woman passed by with her son and they had a small conversation about the pleasure boat that was out on the road. The woman said to the boy - 'look at the boat'. 'Why are you speaking Irish Mammy?' says the wee lad!

3. Language of intergenerational communication. Máire noticed another pattern when young people are working in the Gaeltacht, for example in the shops. They speak English together, but they switch to Irish when talking to Máire and the like.

Analysis

According to the census, the number of people in the Gaeltacht who speak Irish has risen, from 63,664 in 2016 to 65,156 in 2022 (an increase of 1,492 / +2.3%) at a time when, however, the number of people in the Gaeltacht who speak Irish has fallen every day from 20,586 in 2016 to 20,261 in 2022 (fall 325 / -1.6%). Although there is a positive story in that there is an increase in the number of people who speak Irish, it is a cause for concern that the community that speaks Irish is falling. But when you combine the aforementioned usage patterns with the census figures, it becomes clear that the situation is even worse. When the heads of households who speak Irish every day filled out the census form, it is more likely than not that they described that everyone in the family speaks Irish every day. Therefore, there is every chance that the number of people in the Gaeltacht who speak Irish as their main language every day is considerably less than 20,261. Not only that, but there is a good chance that most young people do not speak Irish as their main language either, even if they speak Irish every day, and that is not a good thing, if it is true. This is what Julian de Spáinn, Secretary General of the Irish Language League, said on the subject:

"...strong, continuous and ambitious support from the State is urgently needed to turn the tide and achieve a significant boost in the use of the Irish language. There are plenty of things that need to be done to achieve that vision and to sustain the growth that is needed; it is necessary to finance the Growth Plan, Investment Plan for the Irish and the Gaeltacht 2024-29, which has been agreed by more than 115 Irish and Gaeltacht groups to ensure significant long-term investment; there is a need for a national housing policy for the Gaeltacht; there is a need for an education policy from early childhood education to third level, and beyond." Although I agree with him, I think that more information is needed to develop a more targeted and effective approach.

Recommendations

It would be very useful to carry out a survey to collect more personal data from the people who speak Irish every day, according to the census. I would ask for details such as: your age, your main language at home and outside, what percentage of Irish and English do you speak daily, do you speak a mixture of Irish and English? Do you speak Irish with your own generation and English outside of that (or vice versa)?

We would learn a lot from a survey like that and with the new information we would receive, we would be able to formulate better plans to achieve a significant boost in the use of the Irish language.

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Dírbheathaisnéis: 1 – Cuimhní na hÓige!

Dírbheathaisnéis: 1 – Cuimhní na hÓige!

by | 2023/07/19 | Dírbheathaisnéis

Dírbheathaisnéis: 1

I don't remember anything about where I was born, because we moved to Dublin when I was just a child. My father left his job as a teacher at Coláiste Naomh Muredach in Ballina in County Mayo after taking up a new position at Marian College on Lansdowne Road in Dublin. He bought a house in Clontarf and we started a new life there.

Pencil

I attended 'Holy Faith' primary school in Clontarf, which the famous presenter Gerry Ryan also attended at the same time, but I didn't know him. I had a wonderful teacher in the 'low babies' class called Sister Paula, and I was not afraid of being at school. Once, when we had a break, I took my pencil sharpener and started sharpening every pencil in the class. There was a small hole in the floor, and I was sitting over it, throwing the filings into the hole, and I was very happy with myself. I was so happy that I stopped sharpening each pencil until all that was left was stubs. I didn't know I shouldn't do that. Sister Paula stopped this important work, and put me back in my seat – she didn't have a harsh word for me, but I learned that I shouldn't do that either.

Pneumonia

I was hit with pneumonia badly when I was in the 'low babies' class. I remember being in the car with my mother bundled up in a blanket, as we rushed to the children's hospital on Temple Street. On Pearse Street, there was a billboard on a railway bridge, and a man with two heads looking out from the advertisement. Isn't it strange the memories that stay with you!

I almost died in the hospital, because I had double viral pneumonia. I didn't eat anything for a month, I was so sick. Around Easter, my parents gave me an Easter egg, and for the first time in hospital I ate a little. Gradually I improved. There was a little girl in the ward next to me, and we started playing a little together. I couldn't walk after being so sick, and I had to relearn it, with the help of my nurse. Finally I was ready to go home. On the way home, my brother was not happy that I was back, because he had my parents' full attention and did not want to share it with me.

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Shame

I went back to school and all was well. The next thing I remember was being in a 'high babies' class with a new teacher who I didn't really like. I did something wrong in class (I don't know what), and I had to sit next to a girl in the first class until the end of the class. I was very embarrassed and the girl too more than likely, and I still don't know why this was done to me. I was against any kind of punishment after that. I can still feel that painful shame!

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Danger outside

A girl older than me lived nearby, and she walked to school with me in the morning and back home with me in the evening. I was able to go out on my own sometimes, though, but my parents told me to stay close to home. Despite that, I went down a good distance on my tricycle to 'Furlong's' shop on the corner of the main road from time to time without them knowing. One time, a man jumped out of his car, and told me he would give me a ride home. My parents had warned me about strangers, telling me not to talk to them at all. Fortunately, I followed their advice and jumped on my tricycle and hurried home. There is no doubt in my mind that I was in great danger and I was very lucky to escape.

Another time, I ran out onto the road without looking at all. The car stopped quickly with a squeal of tires, and luckily it didn't hit me. I learned road sense instantly, and it's a miracle I survived.

Ba bheag nach bhfuair mé bás cúpla uair agus mé i mo leaidín beag, ach níor chuir sé isteach orm ar chor ar bith mar níor thuig mé i gceart beatha nó bás ag an am!

Tubsgate!

Tubsgate!

by | 2023/07/12 | Current Affairs, Politics

Tubsgate!

Ryan Tubridy received €345,000 in secret additional payments from RTÉ from 2017 up to 2023. The company was engaged in a massive cost-cutting program during that time and the station implemented a 15% salary reduction. RTÉ is being questioned by the Oireachtas Media Committee and the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee. According to RTÉ, Dee Forbes, the former director general of the company, is the only person who was aware of all the details relating to the additional payments to Tubridy. It is clear that she is a scapegoat and the government believes that this is an absurd explanation!

Here's a summary and a few thoughts about the controversy.

1. Lack of transparency and accountability. Dee Forbes, who has been suspended from her position as director general of RTÉ, was asked by the aforementioned government committees to attend the committee meetings. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee are asking Ryan Tubridy, his agent Noel Kelly, and Dee Forbes to appear before the committee, to tell their stories and answer questions. Dee Forbes says she is now sick because of this crisis! Tubridy and Kelly say they will answer questions soon, but we don't have more information as I write the column. In my opinion, this duty should be one of the conditions of employment for them, regardless of anything else. Shouldn't people in public offices or other positions of trust be held accountable? The government is able to subpoena people to come before the Oireachtas, but it is quite complicated to do that, especially in the case of Dee Forbes because she is ill and she is no longer working in RTÉ. In any case, the government is giving invitations to the people mentioned above, and if necessary they will be forced to attend meetings organized by the Oireachtas Public Accounts committee.
2. 'Slush Fund'. RTÉ Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins appeared before the Oireachtas and brought new things to light. RTÉ had a special bank account, from which they made the additional payments to Tubridy. This 'swap' account, which usually contained more than €1 million, was used to spend €275,000 on sporting events (travel, tickets and hotels) – Rugby World Cup, Champions League (ten year tickets ), IRFU matches and European soccer, included – stay tuned for flip flops! Collins said that the tax payers might be betrayed! RTÉ will undoubtedly have other questions to answer about this fund, especially as it was discovered very briefly that there are three accounts of this kind involved! Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe said the government will seek financial reports going back several years, to gain a deeper understanding of the controversy.
3. Agent. Noel Kelly is a very powerful man, agent not only for Tubridy, but for other big names too – including Dave Fanning, Kathryn Thomas, Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates. He is a middleman, who takes a 15% commission from his client's salary. Kelly will undoubtedly have many questions to answer. But don't forget one thing: even though Kelly is able to advise his clients, they are the ones in charge and they are the ones who give him instructions. In that way, Tubridy owns the documentation regarding the financial arrangements he was demanding. At first, Tubridy didn't accept that responsibility, but he promptly changed his tune after a while. In my opinion, RTÉ should negotiate salaries directly with their employees without any agent present.
4. Too much money. When too much money is involved, there are always problems, and greed corrupts. Therefore, there is a need for external supervision of companies and a power to punish companies that break the rules. In RTÉ's case, the gate is being closed after the horse has bolted.

Conclúid

We are only at the beginning of the investigation now, and we still have a lot to learn about what has been going on in RTÉ for several years. All the truth will come out, probably, and then the government will have to make a decision so that this does not happen again. I hope that an external oversight organization will be put in place with the necessary powers and will keep a close eye on the new RTÉ and any other organizations that use our taxes to operate.

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Cothrom na Féinne sa Bhunreacht?

Fairness in the Constitution?

by | 2023/07/05 | Politics, History

Cothrom na Féinne!

 

I was eating my lunch alone, upstairs in the furniture store 'Meubles' when I recognized my old friend Séimí in the buffet queue. I waved my hand at him to get his attention and he gave me a big smile before coming in my direction.

"Nice to meet you here, Michael!" said Séimí as he sat in front of me at the table. "I didn't know you liked the 'Meubles' restaurant, son!"

“I love the clam chowder here. But I was the one who was surprised, because I'm always here, and I've never seen you here before, Séimí!" I said.

"I'm late today, Michael, but I come here once or twice a week at noon and I'm gone within half an hour!"

"Call me from now on if you want my company, and I'll be happy to meet you at noon," I said matter-of-factly.

"Thank you, and if I'm not in a hurry I'll call you!" answered Séimí. "But what about the 'fairness' that was established in this country after the 'Easter Rising, 1916'? Do you have any opinion on it now, Michael?” As usual for my friend Séimí an Droichid, he tilted his head as he scrutinized me.

"Share your own views with me first, Séimí!" I said, "and then I will add them." I drank a cup of coffee, while I waited for what he would have to say.

“As you well know, I have a liberal attitude. Once, my views were not accepted and people labeled me a hippie. But now we have a liberal, progressive country, almost free from the yoke of the Church at last. When it was drawn up in 1934-1937, the constitution was strongly in line with the teachings of the Church, and particularly with the views of Father McQuaid (then president of Blackrock College, and later Archbishop and Primate of All Ireland) and the Jesuit Father Cahill. The three of them (deValera, McQuaid and Cathill) were conservative Catholics, who worked hand in hand to draft the constitution. It is not surprising then, that they intended to have a religious and conservative constitution. Unfortunately, it was also a discriminatory constitution because fairness was not given priority in the constitution. There have been 38 referendums on amendments to the constitution since 1937 and the constitution we have now is completely different and better than the first one. But we still have work to do!” Séimí finally stopped talking, and started eating his assorted salads.

"I agree with you, my friend," I said. "It is a great pity that deValera was not more objective about the constitution, but he was under pressure from all sides at the time. The Catholic Church was very powerful, as the majority of the population at the time were devout Catholics. Although there were not many Protestants in the south, there were many in the North, and deValera wanted to create a constitution that would be suitable for them as well. It was difficult for him to serve both sets of needs, however, and although he made peaceful gestures in the constitution for the Protestants, deValera was subject to the Catholic Church, and that is evident in the constitution he published in 1937."

"For the first time ever, we're not arguing with each other Michael!" said Séimí, laughing. “There are now major changes in the constitution regarding divorce, abortion and same-sex marriage that would have been unthinkable thirty years ago. But are we done yet?”

"Not really, as we said!" I said. "We have and will always have work to do. But although we still have a lot to do, the most important thing for us to do right now is to remove the reference to women being enslaved at home from the constitution. We will have a referendum on that later and I hope that amendment will be accepted!”

"Of course, Michael!" said Séimí. "Ireland is now a post-Catholic country, and it's time to put an end to the oppression and restrictions of the church."

“On that note, Séimí, let's end our sessions today! We don't always agree, but we agree on the most important things, in my opinion – things like equality in this great country.”

We walked out together, and I promised myself that I would be in touch with Séimí again before long.

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Gearán agus Clamhsán!

Bellyaching!

by | 2023/06/28 | Short stories

Bellyaching!

In a small private room in the 'Smugairle Róin' last night, I was counting a gorgeous, attractive bottles, on a glass shelf in front of me, and putting together the complicated affairs of life, when I was quite stunned. When I came to myself, I realized that someone was knocking on the door of the 'Caillí' (that's the small private room I mentioned just now) trying to come in to me. From the kind of noise being made, I realized instantly that it was my old friend, Séimí an Droichid, who was there for me.

"Come in" I said, nice and welcoming.

The door was opened, and my fine Séimí appeared before me. It was easy to recognize that the poor man was sick with the cold, and for that reason, I asked him to plant himself on the stool in front of me, next to the radiator, and I immediately informed the bar person (Tóin Mhór himself), and asked him to provide me with a good batch of the hard stuff immediately for my friend. He obliged me, and I have to admit that the same man went out of hhis way to serve us. Sémí grabbed his glass. He raised it before him, and then, without further delay, swallowed the contents. He laid his empty glass on the table in front of him, cleared his throat, put on his speaking voice and asked, did I have a story or a poem, after the week?

Any news?

"I have ne’er a story or a ballad myself," said I, "but I would say that you did not go out this way tonight without a story, or a ballad." Maybe you could drop a story out of your story bag?”

"Certainly, I did not come out of our house without a story, or a story, tonight, as it would be difficult to do such a thing, these days, with so many yaarns being woven, and spun, from the big life around us.”

"Let loose then, some of the lore you have collected recently".

"But, shouldn't we all pay attention to things, as that tells us, how quickly misfortune comes down on us, when we don't expect it. There are certain forces at work in these matters, forces over which we have no control, and also forces, which have strength and power in them, which affect us deeply."

"But probably, there were other events bothering us, recently?"

“Be sure there were, as when you think about it, how much life has changed since we were boys, long ago? At that time, weren’t the Church, and the Banks, and the police, the strong pillars of the defense of this State; they were especially persistent, efficient, and indestructible, as we understood it. But look at things as they are now? I am afraid that it has been made clear to the world that they are not the bastion as described, but instead, we have been discovered that they are weak, bent, human, those same strong pillars, on which we all depended."

The Impermanence of Life

"But, Sémí, isn't that your life? Nothing in this world is permanent but the grace of God.”

"I agree with you in that, or as Mártan the Bull put it a long time ago, 'There is no certainty in this world except death, taxes, and the impermanence of this world'. Yes, and he was probably quite right about that. But, I would say now, that it is past time for me to move home, and therefore, we have to leave this matter parked until the next round. In the meantime, think about 'Chothrom na Féinne' in the Republic that was established here after the Easter Rising, 1916. And I'll bid you farewell for now."

And with that, my lovely Sémí, with blazing speed, cleared out of the Caillí at the Smugairle Róin.

"Saafe home" I said after him, although there was every possibility that he was out of earshot by then. But rest assured that we will be returning to that topic again soon.

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