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NEW JUNIOR MINISTER Joe McHugh, who’s appointment to the ‘Gaeltacht Affairs’ brief was met with criticism after he admitted his Irish “wasn’t great”, has been blogging about his progress learning the language.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said McHugh would be sent for summer cramming classes in the wake of his promotion earlier this month.
And the Donegal politician’s following through with the plan it seems.
He says he had a “busy but productive week” at Donegal’s Gleann Cholm Cille Gaeltacht last week.
So productive, in fact, that he’s now “thinking in Irish” apparently…
“I had a busy but productive week and the standard of teaching was excellent,” McHugh wrote in a blog post on the Department of the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht website.
“I met a lot of people from all over Ireland, as well as from Wales, Scotland, Bosnia, the US, Germany and Sweden.
“We had a common bond – a passion for the Irish language – and we had the opportunity to learn it both inside and outside the classroom.
“By the end of the week, I felt as though I was thinking in Irish a lot more often than before and I was very pleased with the progress I had made.
“However, I know that I am still struggling and will be for some time yet, especially with the grammar. I must work on increasing my self-confidence.
“Nonetheless I’m positive and I know that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
“There is great motivation to be found in the Gaeltacht, where the language is to be heard all the time, spoken among young and old.”
(Note: There’s an Irish language version of the blog post too for any saineolaí out there.)
McHugh’s promotion to the brief was criticised by, amongst others, former Gaeltacht Affairs minister Éamon Ó Cuív, who said he was “shocked and disappointed” that the Taoiseach had chosen someone who is not a fluent speaker.
However, the Donegal TD put in a defiant performance as he defended his role, throwing out more than a cúpla focal in an answer to a Dáil question from Sinn Féin’s Peadar Tóibín.
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There needs to be an appropriate oversight/ complaints system in place for community palliative care. Whilst most have a good & caring experience that supports the dying person & leads to a healthy grieving process, not everyone has this & when it goes wrong, there should be someone to contact to address it immediately. Otherwise, it leaves many broken bereaved family members in its wake.
@Majella Beattie: agree with you wholeheartedly.
The palliative care teams I have seen are all heroes.
Absolute heros! And they need good support as well, and the recognition from society. “Palliative care” should not make people “fearful”. Affected individuals usually appreciate the support, whereas unaffected people shy away from the topic. Some may not have any spiritual understanding (despite their religion they may or may not have) or just sweep it under the carpet. Death is the only certainty in life. One can ignore it or be fearful, but it’s to be faced.
I think most of us think it’s “the end” when we hear palliative care
Had it mentioned in relation to a family member recently, and our reaction was fearful that yes, this is the end until explained that that may not be the case. There is an urgent need for education here as I think most would be of the opinion that it is end of life care
Surprised it is only half. While not everyone under palliative care is end of life, everyone referred there is very unwell. Of course there is a negative association with it.
Why don’t they just change the name of the group of people that specifically deal with end of life care. The words “Palliative care” sends shivers up and down every spine. You’re not going to change that.
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