Mr. Michael Walsh:

With regard to the bigger points, I consider them all important. I suppose that is easy to say. Some are more easily delivered than others. We would certainly welcome the standardisation of the Irish tests. I do not that should be beyond the wit of man. It should also not be beyond the wit of man to make some provision for social housing. One point we are trying to make through the common statement is that there are a number of anomalies we have to operate with. A member previously raised the question of preference or priority being given to Gaeilgeoirí. The Planning and Development Acts do not make provision for such preference to be given. The reality is that the more oppressive force here is rural housing policy because of the inherently rural character of the majority of our Gaeltachtaí. With regard to affordability issues, with the exception of Múscraí and Ráth Chairn, the majority of Gaeltacht areas are coastal communities, which brings pressure in respect of affordability, demand and so on. There are also limitations with regard to the planning regulations. It is frustrating that, while we can apply language conditions, the enforcement of them is dubious at best. I certainly would not like to sit in front of a High Court judge arguing that somebody should be thrown out of a house because they were not in compliance with the condition, whether at the time of sale or afterwards. We operate them reasonable effectively but they operate in a sort of lacuna.

It is more about that overall consideration. That is why we welcome the working group and this engagement with the committee for this high-level strategic view of the issues. The biggest problems in the Gaeltacht areas, as in gach ceantar tuaithe eile, are fostaíocht agus tithíocht. The simple reality is that housing has become a problem. In our case, affordability has become a particular problem. We welcome this engagement and would welcome a common approach being taken at national level.