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

The reason for amendments such as those we are discussing is because of the failure of councils over the years to take into account the linguistic and cultural heritage of Gaeltacht areas. I refer to amendment No. 894. The phrase "have regard to" does not make something compulsory. I put it to the Minister that we are not trying to have regard to anything. There may be a reason why a development, plan or strategy would not comply fully, I do not know, but the amendment says that these things should have regard to, which means those involved have to take something into account when sitting down and deciding a strategy at whatever level is required. Far too often, that has not been the case. This has led to Gaeltacht communities having to go to court to prevent a development they feel would injure the linguistic heritage of their area or where a housing development would undermine the community language in the area by ensuring that a development had no Irish language provision in it to protect that community.

The other amendments are quite simple in many ways. They propose that the housing strategy should always include the distinct housing need of Gaeltacht communities. Gaeltacht communities are distinct in much the same way as other minority communities. These communities are protected in legislation but not necessarily protected in action in the context of planning. If we want the Gaeltacht to survive, we need to ensure that there is proper planning in order that we will not get spate of summer homes being built at some point in the future. Deputy O'Callaghan gave the lists of housing in various Gaeltacht regions where 53% or 54% of all houses are shut up or closed for nine months of the year or more because they are holiday homes. This does not serve the community well. I spoke on this yesterday.

In the past, we did not need to ensure a distinct population and housing growth strategy for Gaeltacht areas because people were emigrating in droves. The just left. We do, however, need a strategy now.

Our economic development and industrial and business policies, especially in Gaeltacht areas, are instructed and managed by Údarás na Gaeltachta. It means those who previously would have left the area are staying. Young families wish to remain in the area. It probably always needed a distinct policy, but we need it now, in particular, because what is happening is that people are forced to move out of the area because their distinct housing need is not being met by the local authorities. I know the Minister will say we will look at it again and, hopefully, we will. I am not against looking at it again. That is what that group of amendments is trying to capture.