Mattie McGrath: Defends Irish Language, Challenges Police Name
Mattie McGrath spoke in support of a motion to remove the word 'regulator' and urged that the Irish language be used more often. He also criticised changes to emergency service naming, saying the new 999 service is being called the 'police service' and raising concerns about the PSNI and the 'police service of Ireland' wording.
Support for the amendment
Mattie McGrath voiced clear support for the proposed amendment to delete the word 'regulator'. He described the change as a simple translation matter and commended the proposal, saying he looked forward to it being accepted by Ontario.
Concerns about emergency service naming
He raised concerns about what he described as incremental changes to emergency services, noting the new 999 (or other emergency number) is now called the 'police service'. He asked whether there had been consultation and said the change brought to his attention that dialing the number now connects to the 'police service of Ireland', a development he said he does not like, and he referenced the PSNI in his remarks.
Language and cultural preservation
McGrath emphasised the importance of using Irish as often as possible and warned that the language is being diminished. He framed the issue as one of culture and heritage, declaring that "we're not going to give up on our culture and heritage" and noting the need to keep Gaelic visible.
Summary of stance and next steps
Overall, Mattie McGrath supported the motion to remove 'regulator', pushed for greater use of the Irish language, and challenged recent naming changes to emergency services. He encouraged action to protect language and heritage and welcomed the proposed amendment's advancement.
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I'd like to support this motion as well, to delete the word regulator and the word regulator. I think it's very important that we do put the Irish language as often as we can. And this is a simple one, it's not a huge translation, it's literally a word. But I think it's been diminished and it's been quite. And what it was a product, Piers said a nation, Gontanga, was not a nation at all. And so, and the mention was made by the deputy, it's come to my attention that the new 999, you might allow me to warn, the new 999 service, or 11 whatever it is, 7th service for the emergencies, is now called the police service. So, why have these things been changed inclementally? Were there any consultation or any, or did they tell us maybe they had a consultation on it? Well, not the police service of Northern Ireland, the PSNI. So, that brought to my attention really last week, that if you dial this number now, you don't get to, to the, to the, it's the, it's the police service of Ireland. So, I don't like that. And I'm not knowing the people working on it, and we need a 999, but it doesn't matter what language they come, if they come, good topics. But there's often a wait, but we're losing it, and I think this is a, I commend the, the proposal of this motion, of this amendment, and I look forward to being accepted by Ontario. We're not going to give up on our culture and heritage, because it's important that we do have the USA in the Gaelicke. Thank you. Thank you.
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