Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 641 and 642 relate to applications for permission for standard development. I am not clear why they are in this group. We might just deal with the ones relating to the national planning framework first and then move on to applications for permission for standard development, which is a separate topic.

Amendment No. 137 seeks that the national planning framework contains in its written statement policies and proposals supporting the implementation of language plans. I hope the Minister can support that.

Amendment No. 157 seeks to ensure that the national planning framework makes provision for the protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Irish language and Gaeltacht communities by supporting the implementation of language plans. There is nothing controversial there and nothing that is not, or has not been, Government policy. It would make the Bill consistent with the Gaeltacht Act 2012.

Amendment No. 167 is about the procedure for review of the national planning framework. That procedure allows for consultation with any department or body in Northern Ireland that has responsibility for regional development. The amendment seeks to include language planning in that. It makes eminent sense that there would be such consultation, not just with departments and bodies in the North that have responsibility for regional development but also with regard to language planning, given the work done on language planning on an all-Ireland basis. That makes sense.

I ask for the Minister's response to those amendments on the national planning framework. I will then move on to the ones relating to the national planning statement and standard development.