Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a logic to this group of amendments. As the Minister stated, they basically relate to key bodies that are responsible for promoting the rights of Irish speakers and the language planning process in particular. They do not just relate to Údarás na Gaeltachta, which has a limited role in the Gaeltacht area, but also to Foras na Gaeilge, which is a State body and a North-South body. The language commissioner, the Minister with responsibility for policy in respect of the Gaeltacht and the local language planning officers should be given notice to reviews of development plans and should be sent correspondence regarding effective planning in a language planning area.

I understand what the Minister is saying about such other bodies as may be prescribed but there are also such other bodies as may not be prescribed. Údarás has a duty and function to ensure that in Gaeltacht areas, development is not contrary to the best interests of the Gaeltacht or údarás policies. In the main, údarás has not made any major comment, except in respect of large-scale developments. It is not going to interfere in an extension of somebody's home, for example. It is mainly an overall policy and that is what we are dealing with at this level. It will not interfere in somebody's front porch being built, for example, or an addition to allow a car to park in a village.

I can accept that the amendments should perhaps be more limited, but I cannot accept that the likes of Foras na Gaeilge, the Minister who is responsible for the Gaeltacht or the language commissioner would not be on notice. The relevant language planning officers, in this instance, fall under either údarás or Foras na Gaeilge. Údarás deals with planning, language and protecting the Gaeltacht region, while Foras na Gaeilge deals with those who are planning outside, such as in the likes of the area Deputy Ó Broin lives near to in Clondalkin, that is, the líonraí. That is why there is mention of the relevant language planning officer.

These are State bodies. It is not just bodies that are not already part of the system and are tasked with a multitude of other issues. They are not specifically focused bodies, so there is no mention of Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael or organisations such as that. They are voluntary organisations that do a great deal of work, and I do not want them to end up with the onerous task of receiving all this documentation. They may want that, but in this case we are trying to set out who will be on notice at various stages of strategies and development plans in this area.