Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I mentioned previously, the planning system in Ireland recognises the importance of the continued daily use of the Irish language, especially in Gaeltacht areas. We have gone through that with an interdepartmental group working on it. The Gaeltacht planning guidelines will be very important to make sure this is implemented also. As I said to Deputy Ó Snodaigh earlier on, we will have the draft to those plans published by Easter or before. There is significant planning policy support already in place and work is ongoing to further enhance this, specifically in relation to the Gaeltacht. We have mentioned that and debated it. Accordingly, I am of the view, that the Bill as currently drafted, strikes a suitable balance between recognising the need to promote and maintain the use of our language, with other equally legitimate planning considerations. For those reasons, I am unable to accept amendments Nos. 193, 194, 208 and 209.