An Ghaeltacht is mó sa tír fágtha síos ag cinneadh RTÉ gan díospóireacht trí Ghaeilge a reáchtáil – Kyne / Biggest Gaeltacht in the country let down by RTÉ decision for no Irish language debate – Kyne

Tá an ceantar Gaeltachta is mó sa tír ligthe síos ag RTÉ, nach mbeidh ag éascú díospóireachta trí Ghaeilge d’fhothoghchán Ghaillimh Thiar atá le teacht, a dúirt an Seanadóir Seán Kyne.

Dúirt iarrthóir Fhine Gael agus ceannaire an tSeanaid go raibh díomá air a fháil amach tráthnóna inniu nach mbeidh RTÉ ag éascú díospóireachta trínár dteanga náisiúnta.

“Tá an ceantar Gaeltachta is mó sa tír i nGaillimh Thiar. Is cuid dhílis den dáilcheantar anseo é, murach an chuid is tábhachtaí é.

“Táimid bródúil as ár n-oidhreacht agus as an teanga a choinneáil beo. Ní mór gach iarracht a dhéanamh chun tacú leis seo.

“Mar sin féin, tá sé thar a bheith díomách nach mbeidh an craoltóir náisiúnta ag éascú díospóireachta trí Ghaeilge ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ná ar gcuid clár ar RTÉ a hAon, mar shampla Nuacht nó Fóram.

“Bhí iarrthóirí agus páirtithe eile ag lorg na díospóireachta céanna, ach mar sin féin, níltear á héascú.

“Tá súil agam go nglacfadh craoltóirí eile, amhail TG4, an cúram seo orthu féin agus go gcuirfidís díospóireacht trí Ghaeilge ar fáil. Tá trí sheachtaine fágtha go dtí lá na vótála agus tá sé tuillte ag toghthóirí i gceantair na Gaeltachta fios a bheith acu cad atá á thairiscint sula gcaithfidh siad a gcuid vótaí.

“Bhí mé bródúil i gcónaí ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar an dáilcheantar seo agus leanfaidh mé orm ag tacú leis an nGaeilge agus ag lorg an oiread tacaíochta agus infheistíochta agus is féidir don teanga bhródúil seo.

“Admhaím go mbeidh clúdach nuachta ar an bhfothoghchán ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta agus ar Nuacht agus Fóram ar RTÉ a hAon, mar is cuí agus is ceart.

“Ach is mór an náire é nár bhain ár gcraoltóir náisiúnta leas as an bhfothoghchán seo chun deis annamh a thabhairt do gach iarrthóir i nGaillimh Thiar atá líofa sa Ghaeilge páirt a ghlacadh i ndíospóireacht,” a dúirt an Seanadóir Kyne

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The biggest Gaeltacht region of the country has been let down by RTÉ who will not facilitate an Irish language debate in the upcoming Galway West bye-election, Senator Sean Kyne has said.

The Fine Gael candidate and Seanad leader said he was disappointed to learn this afternoon that RTÉ will not facilitate a debate through our national language.

“Galway West has the biggest Gaeltacht area nationwide. It is an integral part, if not the most important part, of the constituency here.

“We are proud of our heritage and keeping our language alive. Every effort must be made to support this.

“RTÉ have clear obligations under the Broadcasting Act to promote and create content in Irish. If they are not aware, the clue is in the name – Radio Teilifis Eireann. They are an Irish public service broadcaster.

“Are they upholding their role and duty with the Broadcasting Act now,” Senator Kyne asked.

“However, for the national broadcaster not to facilitate an Irish language debate on either RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta or their shows on RTÉ One such as Nuacht or Fóram is extremely disappointing.

“Other candidates and parties had sought the same debate, yet it is not being facilitated.

“I hope that other broadcasters, such as TG4, might take this on themselves and provide an Irish language debate. There are three weeks to go to polling day and the electorate in the Gaeltacht areas deserve to know what is on offer before casting their votes.

“I have always been proud to represent this constituency and will continue to advocate and seek as much support and investment in the proud Irish language as possible.

I acknowledge there will be news coverage of the bye-election on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ One’s Nuacht and Fóram as is right and proper.

“But It is a shame our national broadcaster has not used this bye-election to provide a rare opportunity and a debate between candidate for all in Galway West who are fluent in Irish,” Senator Kyne said.