Feighan to embrace the native language
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Deputy Frank Feighan
DEPUTY Frank Feighan said he will go back to study his native tongue to accommodate his new portfolio as Spokesperson for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The newly appointed Fine Gael spokesperson also said he does not feel his lack of knowledge of the Irish language will be a problem when carrying out his new role. "I have always felt that the Irish language is extremely important and should be nurtured. I am very supportive of the revival of the language and am hoping to improve my level of Irish to get a better grasp of the language." The Roscommon/ South Leitrim TD was promoted to the role as part of Enda Kenny's reshuffle of the shadow cabinet last week and says he is enjoying his new responsibilities. "It's a huge unexpected challenge but a brief I am familiar with I have always been very involved in community affairs over the years."
If the party is elected in the next General Election in 2012 Feighan says he would like to see a total overhaul of the way Irish is taught in schools and favours it not being a compulsory Leaving Cert subject. "I don't believe it should be compulsory in school , there's hundreds of thousands like myself who don't feel they have a huge grasp of the language after years of education and I want to highlight the inadequacies in the system."
At present Feighan won't be completely at sea without the cupla focal as Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley from Gweedore will be his spokesperson on Gaeltacht affairs, so as one spokesperson hires another Feighan says he has other ambitions for rural areas.
"I'm going to sit down with community groups and discuss funding in addition I am going to focus on building jobs and attracting small businesses to rural areas. I will also work on broadband which is vital and will be supportive of the work Eamon O'Cuiv has carried out." Feighan says he is sympathetic to rural publicans and that a different approach is needed to improve transport in rural areas. He refused to comment on his potential position within a Fine Gael/Labour coalition in 2012 and said that his relationship with fellow constituency colleague, Denis Naughten TD, hasn't changed.
As expected Denis Naughten did not retain a position in Enda Kenny's new line-up but expressed his congratulations to Deputy Feighan on his promotion. "It is always an honour for a constituency to have one of its own TDs hold a key appointment on the shadow benches and I know that the people of Roscommon/South Leitrim will be well represented in Fine Gael's policy development," stated Denis Naughten.
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