Kildare North TD Naoise Ó Cearúil Appointed Chairman Of Oireachtas Committee On Irish Language

Wednesday, 27 May 2026 12:23

By Hannah Kelly

Deputy Ó Cearúil previously served as Leas-Chathaoirleach of the committee since its establishment during the 34th Dáil under former Chairperson Catherine Connolly

Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North, Naoise Ó Cearúil, has been appointed by the Taoiseach Mícheál Martin as Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Irish-Speaking Community.

Deputy Ó Cearúil previously served as Leas-Chathaoirleach of the committee since its establishment during the 34th Dáil under former Chairperson Catherine Connolly.

The vacancy arose following President Connolly’s election to Áras an Uachtaráin.

Deputy Ó Cearúil was elected as a Kildare North TD in the 2024 General Election, receiving 8,444 votes.

Speaking following his appointment, Deputy Ó Cearúil said:

“It is a huge honour to be appointed Chairperson of this committee at such an important time for the future of the Irish language. Irish belongs to everybody in this country and our job now is to ensure that the language is protected, strengthened and modernised for a new generation.”

He continued: “One of my key priorities will be tackling the housing crisis in Gaeltacht communities. If younger generations cannot afford to live in the Gaeltacht, then the long-term future of Irish as a community language comes under real pressure.”

Deputy Ó Cearúil said he hoped the committee would work in a constructive and ambitious way across party lines.