Connaught/Ulster Regional Council Yfg

[Príomh Aire]

A historic weekend for Young Fine Gael kicked off in the beautiful surroundings of the Galway Bay and Country Club in Maree with Seán Finan replacing Lorraine Munnelly as Chairperson of the Connacht/Ulster Regional Council. Cllr. Michael Fleming chaired the meeting also in attendance were Cllr. Fidelma Healy-Eames, Seán McKiernan and Darragh Kelly. The position of Vice-Chair went to Katie O’Connor whilst Keith Stephens was elected unopposed as PRO. The position of Treasurer was filled by Karen
Brennan. Maura Hopkins remained on, as Secretary and Michelle Perry became Asst. Secretary.

The long awaited inaugural meeting of the Irish Committee was Chaired by Deputy Dinny McGinley and also attended by Cllr. Seán Ó Chiadhan. Dinny McGinley noted how this was a “New Departure” for Yfg and “the first step in reclaiming the spotlight on the Irish Language manipulated by Fianna Fáil”. Keith Stephens and Jonathan Hoare both had prior aspirations of being the Committee’s Chairman. However, Hoare was elected unopposed with Stephens(Galway East) taking Vice Chairman. The committee outlined their intentions to promote the spoken language within the subject’s curriculum and to promote the “cúpla focal” amongst Yfg members.

[Barbarian]

[quote="Príomh Aire"] “the first step in reclaiming the spotlight on the Irish Language manipulated by Fianna Fáil”.quote]
Since when have FG been interested in the Irish language and how have Fianna Fáil 'manipulated' it?

[Príomh Aire]

Well FG established the Department for Irish, pushed for recognition in the EU Constitution, our party leader is a fluent speaker not like Bertie and Fianna Fáil didn't fight for recognition of our national language when we joined the EU. Enough said

[Barbarian]

I’m unaware of any 'Department for Irish', however if you're referring to the Department of the Gaeltacht it has been 18 years since ye held it, giving it to Michael Twee in the last administration.
I also note the full page in the YFG magazine totally running down the Irish Language...some choice quotes...

the Irish language is dead...

The day of the Irish language is long over...

Nice to see YFG's position on this in print!

[jjcarroll]

Nice to see YFG's position on this in print!

Are you just trolling?

That was the opinion of one person in YFG, not of YFG itself.

[Barbarian]

Not trolling...do you print opinions (this wasn’t a letter, it was a full page article) in a Fine Gale publication that are totally at variance with YFG policy?
This is interesting...

[jjcarroll]

Not trolling...do you print opinions (this wasn’t a letter, it was a full page article) in a Fine Gale publication that are totally at variance with YFG policy?
This is interesting...

I am not sure what YFG policy on this is, but we encourage debate within YFG so occasionally views at variance with YFGs are published in a YFG publicaiton

[Barbarian]

Well it certainly goes to underline the continuing (dare I say "west brit" and certainly right wing) mentality of many of those in the YFG organisation.

Other than the printed article "The Irish Language is Dead", there is also an article arguing that FG move to the right!

Anyhow this isn't a topic on the anti-Irish language element of YFG it is more about the hypocrisy of the eminent Dinny Mc Ginley's comment - look to you're own organisation first fokes before you attempt to 'claim' protection of the Irish language

[NGTR]

That was one article by one person & yes the ezine does publish opinion pieces, the one advocating a move to the right was very similar to Marc Coleman's piece in Magill last January & probably does reflect the views of many members in YFG

[Barbarian]

That was one article by one person ... & probably does reflect the views of many members in YFG

As does the article on The Irish language being dead I'm sure