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

I think we have covered most of this. It is not only a context where it would be desirable that people would be able to communicate in Irish but one where the Official Languages Act 2003 is supposed to vindicate their rights. In a practical context, however, the Deputy has already referred to the expertise and detailed knowledge required, especially in detailed planning applications. This is about working towards being able to achieve this outcome. I ask the Deputy to believe I genuinely have some sympathy for this provision but this Bill is not the place for it. We would then have to do the same thing with every item of legislation as it happens. Incidentally, for the Deputy's next planning queries, the deputy planning officer in Dublin City Council is a native Irish speaker. There is, therefore, expertise in local authorities. It is good to see this, but is there enough of this expertise? I refer to an application being made in Irish for a house in an area. The rights already existing in this regard are in law. This is now about vindicating them on the ground. As I said, I think we have covered this well and I am not in a position to accept either of these two amendments.