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

I will come in on my amendments Nos. 343, 351 and 385. I will start on amendment No. 385 because it is almost similar to the ones we were discussing.

This is an amendment to delete the wording on Gaeltacht areas and replace it with more up-to-date language reflecting Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012, which sets out the structure for the language planning process and redefines the Gaeltacht as was into language planning areas. As I said, we have the limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta, baile seirbhíse Gaeltachta and líonra Gaeilge.

With the Minister's help, I was able to figure out that the definition in the beginning of the Bill does not cover all of this in terms of Gaeltacht. The definition at the start of the Bill only refers to the limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta and pre-existing Gaeltacht areas. It does not encompass what is set out in my amendment. Given all the work that went into the 2012 Act and given how important it is in terms of language planning policy, it is important this Bill reflects that, is up to date and uses the language from the 2012 Act, especially given that the definition in this Bill does not reflect the changes made from Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012 and is out of date.

The language in this Bill is much closer to that of 2020, which was the last time there was a full review of the planning legislation. Given that this is meant to last for decades, it is important that it reflect the reality since 2012 and that we move on in a manner consistent with the 2012 legislation. Amendment No. 385 is similar to others we have discussed.

Amendment No. 343 is on an obligation to prepare a strategy for sustainable development and regeneration. It is not dissimilar to some of the amendments discussed previously. It would ensure that strategies on sustainable development and regeneration in Gaeltacht areas would protect the linguistic and cultural heritage of those areas. That makes sense.

Amendment No. 351 relates to an obligation to prepare a strategy related to economic development. The economic development of Gaeltacht areas is crucial to the protection of the language, our cultural heritage and Gaeltacht communities. The amendment would ensure strategies for the economic development of Gaeltacht areas would protect the linguistic and cultural heritage of those areas.

As we have said about other amendments in the grouping, these amendments would not have been submitted were there not a necessity to meet the challenges currently faced by Irish-language speakers in Gaeltacht communities and the failure of our planning process to date. We have talked through some of the human stories in this regard and given some data on how grave the failure has been in some areas. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's rationale regarding our amendments.