This contribution was originally published in the Irish Examiner on October 3rd 2025.

As a new arrival in Ireland from Belgium, I recognise a disturbing pattern in this presidential election.

Growing up as a Flemish speaker, I often heard politicians dismiss our language with “et pour les Flamands la même chose” (“the same for the Flemish”) and we were expected to accept it.

Since settling here with my family, we’ve embraced our cúpla focal and are actively learning more. That makes it all the more shocking to see candidates for Uachtarán na hÉireann treat Irish as an afterthought rather than the first national language. The presidency may be ceremonial, but it is deeply symbolic and should reflect the whole of Ireland, its culture, and heritage.

Just weeks after thousands marched for Irish language rights, how is it acceptable for one candidate to break their decade-long promise to learn Irish, and another to laugh off losing his school Irish with no effort to regain it?

Beatha teanga í a labhairt — Irish and Ireland deserve representation.