Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A range of matters has been discussed, many of which were discussed earlier. It is my firm belief that the priority area plans are the way to go. Let us remember that our Gaeltacht areas are within county administrative areas. Deputy Ó Broin made a point about equality of access, particularly to social housing. We know of cases where local authorities, in granting planning permission for private developments in Gaeltacht areas, have set down language conditions.

There are particular examples in the Meath Gaeltacht, in Bearna, in Na Forbacha and in places like that where it has been instituted and has worked relatively well. There are locals living in the Gaeltacht. Insofar as taking holiday homes off people, I am not sure how we would get to that space. In the whole discussion on housing, there is a need for additional land. I mentioned An Rinn earlier. There are other potential pilot schemes through Údarás na Gaeltachta that we can do through local authorities. For all of the valid points made this evening, it is my firm belief that each county in which a Gaeltacht is located is different. The local topography - not just the topography of the sites but the local make-up - is different. For example, An Spidéal is close to Knocknacarra, which is a language planning area as well. Further down, there is Indreabhán, where the language is strong. Even 5 miles down the road, there are distinct differences. That is why you cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach in one section. A better way is to insist upon, through legislation, a specific focus on the Gaeltacht as part of a separate priority plan in the development plan process I already mentioned. This includes the islands, be they Gaeltacht islands or not. The Gaeltacht Act 2012 includes provisions for the Minister for the Gaeltacht to set the proportion of population concerned in section 12 - I am just looking it up. I discussed this with a few local authorities regarding allocation.