Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The issue is that a balance, or anything remotely like it, is not being achieved. That is the problem and it is undermining Gaeltacht areas. I gave the example earlier of a physiotherapist, who is just one of many people in that situation. I am not arguing that language should be the only consideration. It is just one of many considerations. I am saying that developments that could undermine the language in a Gaeltacht area, and ultimately destroy it, may, on the balance of things and because of different considerations, get the green light. That is where I have a fundamental disagreement with the Minister of State. I absolutely am not saying language competence should be the only factor that is considered. My concern is that developments, in a cumulative sense, could undermine and destroy a Gaeltacht area such that it would no longer be a Gaeltacht. The Bill should be very clear in saying that this should not and cannot happen. The message should be that we are deadly serious about planning. There are a lot of objectives in planning, all them very good, including environmental objectives. In terms of Gaeltacht areas, however, one of our absolute objectives must be that we protect the language and the linguistic cultural heritage of the area and the Irish language community. That is an absolute planning objective and it should come through in this Bill, which is what we are seeking to do in these amendments.

On the question of whether Údarás na Gaeltachta could be established as an approved housing body, that is, in effect, what would be enabled by my amendment. Clarification in this regard is important because if it is prohibited from doing so, that needs a legislative fix. My amendment may not be the best way of doing it but given the role Údarás na Gaeltachta is playing at the moment, the seriousness of this issue and the positive work it is doing in meeting housing need, we need clarity on this. If the Minister of State does not provide that clarity, my amendment certainly would be useful.