Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have absolutely no problem with withdrawing amendment No. 41, given the progress that has been made in the context of amendment No. 42. As regards the other amendments, it is difficult in the context of putting a board together. It is about ensuring that it is captured. We all live in the hope that it will be captured in the way the Minister believes it will by virtue of the inclusion of the criterion in respect of the promotion and use of Irish, but we lived in that hope for many decades in the context of trying to promote the representation of women on State boards. The change, however, only happened when we legislated for it. Change might be needed in future to reflect our diverse society if that does not happen naturally. One of the reasons Conradh na Gaeilge and I have argued for these amendments is because that has not been happening. There have been opportunities in the past but ability in the Irish language was not seen as a benefit in the context of appointments to boards.

I am aware of the whole system of appointments to boards and the Commission for Public Service Appointments. I too will be dealing with two appointments to TG4 at a Houses of the Oireachtas committee in the next couple of weeks and this, in some ways, is a novel approach with appointments through the committee and the Minister. There are different ways in which appointments can be made.

I will press this amendment but I will have a look again at it. I will talk to Conradh na Gaeilge and others to see if there is a way of capturing what we want to capture without being too onerous on the appointments system. The key part we are looking for is to ensure the board has an understanding of the importance of the Irish language and to ensure an tÚdarás, which is what they are representing, has that to the fore. Over the years I have found that people who do not speak the Irish language often do not understand the challenges those of us who do speak, or who want to continue education as Gaeilge, have, even on a day-to-day basis in just getting our rights and in our interactions with the State. That is the frustration that has led to these amendments from Conradh na Gaeilge, and not just on this Bill. It is also on a number of Bills over a long time. The conradh would be first to acknowledge the huge progress in recent years in particular and progress by virtue of the fact the Minister has adopted some of its suggestions.