Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 15, line 27, to delete “(including the promotion and use of the Irish language)”.

My amendments and those of Deputy Conway-Walsh endeavour to achieve the same aim, relating to the promotion and use of the Irish language and strengthening its provision across the sector, although we may have different views on how best to do it. Amendments Nos. 7 and 8 are my attempt to do that. I note the Deputy's amendments Nos. 14, 16, 17 and 212.

These amendments address the objects of the Higher Education Authority, HEA, which provide that the HEA shall have regard to certain objects in performing its functions. I am proposing an amendment to the object set out in section 8(1)(b). The intent is to strengthen the provision with regard to the Irish language in the Bill. It is now proposed that this object will read:

To support designated institutions of higher education in contributing to social, economic, cultural ... and environmental development and sustainability through leadership, innovation and agility; and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such support shall include the promotion and use by those institutions of the Irish language.

The HEA is required to have regard to this object in performing its functions. I acknowledge Conradh na Gaeilge's work in bringing forward this amendment.

I am also proposing other amendments in the Bill to strengthen the provision in relation to the Irish language, including an amendment to section 9, which we will get to later, regarding the functions of the HEA, and to section 33 with regard to the strategy for tertiary education. As I said at the previous outing on this legislation, I am proposing ten Committee Stage amendments to strengthen the role and promotion of the Irish language. As I did at the previous meeting, I again acknowledge the work of Deputy Conway-Walsh on this and, indeed, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, who I see has joined us now and who also corresponds with me on this matter.

Amendment No. 24, in section 9, which relates to the functions of an t-údarás, provides that the HEA shall support "the educational and skills needs of persons in Gaeltacht areas ... and outside of such areas with regard to the promotion and use of the Irish language”. I will flag at this stage that I may even look to further strengthen that. I intend to engage with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further on this between now and Report Stage.

Similarly, I will mention amendment No. 58 in section 33, which relates to the strategy for tertiary education, now so I do not need to speak to it later. This provides that the Minister shall have regard to "policies relating to ... the promotion and use of the Irish language" when preparing the strategy for tertiary education. This will ensure that the promotion and use of the Irish language will form part of the strategy for tertiary education. This is important. It is quite significant because the strategy will set the policy direction for further education for training and higher education and research for a period of up to ten years. My team and I believe that we are achieving the same aims with our amendments Nos. 7 and 8 and the proposed amendments I outlined to sections 9 and 33 as Deputy Conway-Walsh's amendments Nos. 14, 16 and 17. I am not being argumentative on them. I think we have potentially landed at the same place between amendments Nos. 7 and 8 in this section and the amendments I am bringing forward in sections 9 and 33.

Amendment No. 212 proposes to insert “to provide for the strengthening of Irish medium higher and tertiary education” into the Long Title of the Bill. I am not proposing to accept this amendment as the Long Title lists the general key provisions for the Bill. I think this provision is too specific for inclusion in the Long Title. We believe that the provisions have already been included to strengthen the Irish language. I am proposing not to accept the Deputy's amendments on the basis that I think we are arriving at the same point between amendments Nos. 7 and 8 and the amendments to sections 9 and 33.

I thank Deputies and acknowledge the cross-party interest at this committee in arriving at this point. I will flag formally for the record that I am not finished yet in terms of intending to engage further with colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media who have engaged with my officials in recent days. I am flagging my intention to potentially bring forward further amendments at Report Stage.