Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My second point refers to item No. 2 on the agenda, which is "The cuts in the 2017 Budget to supporting the Irish Language, and the funding for Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta" and which will be dealt with during our public sessions. I wish to express my concern and disappointment with such a title. It would have been appropriate not to include the reference to cuts and to let those who feel there have been cuts and those who feel there have not been cuts argue those points. To me, that looks like a politically-charged title. I have no problem arguing at this committee about the increases to Gaeltacht support schemes, Irish language support schemes, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the 20 year strategy and all the rest and outlining why there is a change to last year's budget and the one-off nature of some of the points in last year's budget. To me, that is a politically-charged item on the agenda. We spoke earlier in private session about all-party contributions and reports and the work we do as a committee. If we want to be taken seriously as a cohesive all-party group, it is important that we try to remain neutral and are not seen to be overly politicised. I express my disappointment with the heading. I do not think it befits the committee.