Catherine Connolly statement on language rights ahead of first national CEARTA rally

Friday 19th September 2025:

I am proud to stand among those protesting for our national language rights on Saturday as the first national CEARTA rally takes place in Dublin.

For too long, successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments have neglected the Irish language, our Gaeltacht communities and Irish medium education. For too long, young people in the north have had to fight tooth and nail for their language rights, many still denied.

The amount of people who speak Irish is under 40% of the total population in the Republic and further cuts to education mean less time will be spent teaching our children their national language. This is a travesty. I have spoken Irish every day of my life and as Uachtarán na hÉireann I will continue to do so.

The housing crisis which plagues our people nationally is damaging our Gaeltacht too, with holiday rentals pushing out locals as profits for these companies soar.

Basic protection for such an important part of our national identity should not have to be protested for on the streets of the capital.

Enough is enough. Our language can no longer be an afterthought.