Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 890:

In page 402, after line 34, to insert the following:

“PART 7

LANGUAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Language Impact Assessment

219. (1) In the case of any non-residential development within a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area, or any residential development that includes the construction of not less than 2 housing units, a language impact assessment will be required before permission can be granted.

(2) A language impact assessment shall be prepared by an independent expert in language planning or sociolinguistics, with no link to any party involved in the application, and its objectivity shall be assessed and verified by Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga before consideration by the planning authority.

(3) A language impact assessment shall provide an analysis of the likely impact of the development on the use of Irish within the local Gaeltacht community, based on factors including, but not limited to—

(a) the most recent Census information on the use of Irish locally,

(b) the nature of the development proposed and the possible opportunities intended for employment of Irish speakers locally or for use of Irish locally, and

(c) any conditions proposed as part of the application to reserve a certain percentage of housing units for Irish speaking residents.

(4) Where a language impact assessment demonstrates that the proposed development is likely to have a positive impact on the use of Irish compared to English in the area, the planning authority shall make every effort to expedite its approval.

(5) Where a language impact assessment demonstrates that the proposed development is likely to have a negative impact on the use of Irish compared to English in the area, the planning authority shall withhold approval.

(6) The planning authority may provide guidance on the percentage of housing units that should be reserved for Irish speaking residents in an area in order for the impact of a development on the use of Irish locally to be positive, based on the sociolinguistic data relevant to the area from the most recent Census or other information sources.

(7) In the case of any conditions reserving a percentage of housing units for Irish speaking residents, an Irish speaking resident must be one who demonstrates a minimum level of spoken Irish that is equivalent to B2 or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, to be assessed and verified by the planning authority.”.