Kildare politician appointed Chairperson of Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language
The vacancy arose following President Catherine Connolly’s election to Áras an Uachtaráin
A County Kildare politician has been appointed Chairperson of Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community.
Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Naoise Ó Cearúil, previously served as the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the committee since its establishment during under former Chairperson Catherine Connolly.
The vacancy arose following President Connolly’s election to Áras an Uachtaráin.
Deputy Ó Cearúil has represented Kildare North in Dáil Éireann since he was elected during the General Election back in November 2024.
According to Deputy Ó Cearúil, his involvement with the Irish language stretches back to his childhood — he attended Scoil Uí Dhálaigh in Leixlip and Scoil Uí Riada in Kilcock before continuing his education at Maynooth Post Primary School, where he was part of the Sruth Lán Gaeilge.
He later completed a Diploma in Irish alongside his law degree at Maynooth University, where he also served as President of the university’s Irish Language Society – Cuallacht na Gaeilge.
Deputy Ó Cearúil also said that his parents were involved in the founding of Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich in Maynooth, while his grandfather, Dónall Ó Cearúill, served as principal of Coláiste Thulach Mhór in Tullamore, County Offaly and was actively involved with Conradh na Gaeilge.
In addition, he said that his great-grandfather, Seán Ó Cearbhaill, was among the first timirí involved with Conradh na Gaeilge during the early years of the organisation.
‘IRISH BELONGS TO EVERYBODY’
Speaking following his appointment, Deputy Ó Cearúil said: “It is a huge honour to be appointed Chairperson of this committee at such an important time for the future of the Irish language.
“Irish belongs to everybody in this country and our job now is to ensure that the language is protected, strengthened and modernised for a new generation.”
The Maynooth-based politician added: “One of my key priorities will be tackling the housing crisis in Gaeltacht communities; if younger generations cannot afford to live in the Gaeltacht, then the long-term future of Irish as a community language comes under real pressure.”
Deputy Ó Cearúil also said that modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI) must become part of the State’s strategy for the language: “We need to completely rethink how Irish is taught and experienced; technology, AI, digital content and modern media can play a transformative role in increasing fluency, accessibility and daily use of the language, particularly among younger people.”
Furthermore, he asserted that the committee will also focus on ‘increasing the number of Irish speakers across the country, supporting Irish-medium education, strengthening services through Irish and ensuring the language has a strong and visible place in modern Irish life’.
Lastly, Deputy Ó Cearúil said that he hopes that the committee would work ‘in a constructive and ambitious way’ across party lines.
He concluded by explaining: “The future of the Irish language should never be a political football; there is a huge opportunity now to build a modern, confident and outward-looking Irish language movement that reflects the Ireland of today, while protecting the communities that kept the language alive for generations.”
In related news, Deputy Ó Cearúil made headlines last week when he called for a ban on supermarkets disposing of edible unsold food.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme