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

I will not delay too long on this. Local authorities will obviously look at licences on a case-by-case basis anyway. This is trying to ensure that in some ways, they cannot avoid putting in place a condition relating to the Irish language. It can be tweaked. The Minister of State is correct that this is now law but this is trying to capture those who do not come under that provision so where the State can influence not just in terms of planning but elsewhere, it should use its authority or ability to change behaviour. In this case, the behaviour involves advertising as Gaeilge. It would be the same if you were trying to get a private company to change its behaviour in some other way. You cannot control it because it is a commercial entity but you can control it by virtue of the fact that it has come to the State seeking a licence.

The same would be true with regard to the campaign for a living wage. When you are dealing with a living wage, the concept that is accepted is that the State can exert control over the private sector and set a higher bar than the private bar would by virtue of the fact that it is the one that grants a contract and it also has that ability with regard to a licence. That is what we are seeking but if the Minister of State is not open to it-----