The new Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs has rejected suggestions that his appointment 'is a slap in the face for the thousands of Irish speakers in the country' because he isn't a fluent speaker of the language.

Fianna Fáil's Éamon Ó Cuív expressed concern that the new Minister is not a fluent Irish speaker.

Deputy Ó Cuív - a former minister for Gaeltacht Affairs- says he believes fluency in the language, should be an absolute prerequisite for a Minister with responsibility for the language.

Earlier, the Taoiseach said his new Minister for the Gaeltacht Joe McHugh will take a "refresher course" in Irish.

Minister McHugh gave this response when asked about his grasp of the Irish language.