Equal status for place names — maith thú

I am delighted with the enlightened proposal of Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, that our place names have equal status in the Irish language on new road signs, as these are put in place in the coming years.

This is an intelligent and practical decision. It will not cost extra money as signs are put up and replaced as needed, and it will protect a valuable aspect of our heritage. Our place names, especially in their original Irish versions, provide us with topological and historical information. They also echo the myths and literature of the first written vernacular in North Western Europe. They are very much a part of what we are. Molann an obair an fear. Treise leat, a Aire.

Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa