Paula Melvin re-elected as President of Conradh na Gaeilge for third term in Baile Bhlainséir, Baile Átha Cliath
Delegates pass motions calling for national policy for housing in the Gaeltacht, calling for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine”, calling for political support for investment and language rights, amongst other resolutions
The Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis took place 23-25 February 2024 in the Carlton Hotel, Baile Bhlainséir, Baile Átha Cliath. Branches, members and guests convened over three days to discuss and debate the organisation’s priorities for the year ahead. Minister of State Jack Chambers TD gave the Taoiseach’s Address on behalf of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as part of Ard-Fheis proceedings.
Over 40 motions were discussed and voted on Saturday, 24 February. Amongst the most pressing motions debated and passed by delegates, included:
- A motion calling for action from Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, on a national policy for housing in the Gaeltacht;
- A motion recognising “failure of Foras na Gaeilge as a viable funding structure”. This Ard-Fheis motion gives the efforts to secure suitable funding one further year. In the event that parties have not provided the required funding to Foras na Gaeilge by then, Conradh na Gaeilge will consider alternative funding models, including calling for an end to the current Foras na Gaeilge structure;
- A motion calling for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in Palestine”;
- A motion calling for action from political parties on An Plean Fáis: Investment Plan for the Irish language and Gaeltacht 2024-2029;
- Motions regarding the crisis in education north and south, with calls for a comprehensive policy for Irish throughout every stage of the education system, #Gaeilge4All and new legislation in the north to protect and enhance Irish Medium Education;
- … and many, many more.
The Ard-Fheis also affords delegates the opportunity to vote for the Presidency of Conradh na Gaeilge, and for the 12 members of the Coiste Gnó. This morning, Paula Melvin was elected Uachtarán of Conradh na Gaeilge for a third term.
Speaking today, Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, commented:
“I am delighted to be re-elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge in my own area of Baile Átha Cliath 15. Over the past year, I have represented Conradh na Gaeilge in many places, from Harvard University to City Hall in Béal Feirste. I look forward to continuing our work on behalf of the Irish language, in particular to change the system of exemptions in the south, to finally achieve a National Housing Planning Plan for the Gaeltacht and to implement the rights brought about in the north in recent years without any further delay.”
“Of course, Conradh na Gaeilge could not function without our branches, our members or without the pioneering work community activists carry out voluntarily throughout the year. Their energy, vision and drive continues to fuel all of the work Conradh na Gaeilge does. The Ard-Fheis affords us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate that work and those people. This year, we have had the pleasure of recognising volunteering excellence across each province and nationally. We thank all of our members, and indeed all of those active in promoting the Irish language and Gaeltacht campaigns over recent years. We now turn our attention, le chéile, to 2025 and beyond.”
As well as delegates debating and passing motions, the Ard-Fheis hosts an annual debate looking at pressing issues relating to the Irish language, this year looking at funding and Government support. Issues concerning housing and education were at the forefront of discussion at the panel debate on Friday, 23 February. The panel included speakers from various political parties, including Aengus Ó Snodaigh, TD (Sinn Féin); Éamon Ó Cuív, TD (Fianna Fáil) and Marie Sherlock, Seanadóir (Labour). Máirín Ní Ghadhra (Raidió na Gaeltachta) chaired the discussion.
Julian de Spáinn, Ard-Rúnaí, Conradh na Gaeilge, said:
“Conradh na Gaeilge’s programme of work has been confirmed through the democratic process of the Ard-Fheis by our membership for the coming year. We will now set out to achieve the resolutions agreed by our delegates. It is time to take action on a National Policy for Housing in the Gaeltacht, to act on An Plean Fáis: Investment Plan for the Irish Language & the Gaeltacht 2024-2029, and to bring about commitments made in the Programme for Government regarding a policy for the Irish language in the education system from pre-school to third level, as Fianna Fáil promised to develop immediately in the 2020 general election. Delegates also passed a very significant motion calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”
“The Ard-Fheis provided delegates with an opportunity to revisit the current funding model of Foras na Gaeilge, passing a motion declaring the current funding structures a ‘failure’. We have to be honest. 25 years on, Foras na Gaeilge, and the structure formula behind it, is broken. When something is broken, you fix it, you change it or you replace it. In the coming year, we will be working to assess other viable options for Irish language funding and in the event that suitable funding is not provides from the North-South funding formula, then we will call for that change. Today our Ard-Fheis unanimously agreed that we cannot continue with the status quo.”
Gradam an Uachtaráin, The President’s Award, was announced at 9pm, Saturday 24 February as part of the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis. This year’s Gradam an Uachtaráin was awarded to Máirín Ní Ghadhra (Ráidió na Gaeltachta & TG4). The National Voluntary Worker’s Award was presented to Breandán Ó Cathasaigh (Ógras).
MEDIA
A report of all motions presented and voted on are available online here.
The full programme for the Ard-Fheis, including motions, reports and agenda, can be accessed in full here.
