Ms Anne Marie McMahon:

In terms of the perceived demotion of the language in the context of the change in regulation, it is important to point out that while it is not part of the eligibility criteria, if a sergeant is assigned to a Gaeltacht area, he or she has to undergo an assessment of a much higher standard than the 50% pass rate required as part of the eligibility criteria. That assessment is the same as the one I spoke about just a few minutes ago in terms of the implementation of the recommendation by the Coimisinéir Teanga to set robust standards for how we measure the ability to speak Irish of those to be stationed in Gaeltacht areas.

I would argue that the standard will increase for those stationed in particular areas because they will not be assigned there unless they reach that standard.

With regard to our appearance here in May and the change in regulations, it was an omission on our part that we did not address that at that point in time. The focus of the discussion on that date was the report of the Coimisinéir Teanga and our focus, or lack thereof, on meeting those recommendations. It certainly was not on the agenda for that meeting and at that point in time, most of us attending were not aware of the change or privy to the finer points of any discussion around the Irish language. I apologise for that. On reflection, it is something that should have surfaced.

The strategy is ready. As I have said already, we plan to launch that during Seachtain na Gaeilge, in addition to launching the fáinne.