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

Sure. Perhaps I will respond briefly to Deputy Ó Broin. Prescribed bodies are State bodies. Part of the reason for them being prescribed is, as the Deputy said, so that people have to interact with them and seek their experience and expertise in their specific areas, as is right and proper. I said in respect of Foras na Gaeilge and An Coimisinéir Teanga that I will look at that.

We cannot prescribe individuals or non-State groups in legislation. The point the Deputy made about language officers in local authorities is probably a management issue, but I understand the point. In this area, we want to make sure we are not elongating a process, but in defined areas where there are Gaeltachtaí, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh said earlier, I have never wanted Gaeilge to be an afterthought. Everything that has driven us all the way through this is to ensure the language is front and centre. We will look at those elements of prescribing State bodies and I will come back to the committee in advance of Report Stage. I just need to consider this a little more. For clarity's sake, I cannot prescribe individuals or non-State groups.