Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed. The report was published before Christmas and the House was told that, in light of its recommendations, a Cabinet sub-committee had been set up. I expected the committee to have met, not once, but every week since then given that, the day it was debated in the Dáil, there was such concern regarding the report.

There is a considerable problem in terms of the usage of the Irish language. We are told that the Government is serious about the issue, but if that is the case and the report was published in December, why has the committee still not met by the middle of this month, St. Valentine's Day? This does not show concern or a commitment to the Irish language. When does the Minister expect a decision to be made on the report, when does he expect a strategy to be drawn up, will consultants be hired, how much money was put in place for the strategy and how much of that money will be spent on consultants? I am disappointed, as I believed the committee would have met already.

There was a recent debate across the country, including in my county and in respect of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry. What is the Department's opinion? People are concerned, particularly in terms of tourism, about being unable to understand where they are. I have no problem with three quarters of a signpost being in Irish if there is something in English to explain to people where it is they are going.

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