Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As he should on this issue. I enjoyed working with him in this area on the Higher Education Authority, HEA, Bill. I think we made a better Bill as a result of the engagement we had. We will approach this issue in this Bill in that same way. I agree with a lot of what he has said. I will flag that I intend to bring forward amendments to this section on Report Stage to address the issue as it relates to the Irish language. All of these amendments have a common theme, which is to require only the use of an Irish-language name for a statutory body, other State body, or Irish language logos and branding created by the Bill. I am proud, as an Irish citizen, of the name An Garda Síochána. It think it means a lot to us. There is a lot of national pride in it. I certainly do not wish to see any deviation from that. I am also aware, while it may not technically have been commenced and not a full legal obligation, that the clear intent of the Oireachtas passing the legislation, which will be commenced and enacted is that new bodies should be set up with Irish-language names. I would like that to be reflected in this legislation. We will bring amendments forward to constructively engage on that basis on Report Stage. I also want to flag, and not to be in any way disingenuous, I think the issue of the statutory name of certain grades is a slightly different space. It is something that deserves consideration and teasing through. However, in terms of new organisations, logos and branding, I am pretty convinced of the argument being put forward. We just need to reflect on it as a Department and engage constructively on Report Stage.