Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Sin ceann eile. The problem was since 1970 these placenames were required to be in Irish only due to a legal regulation passed by the then Minister, former Deputy Bobby Molloy. Outside these places their names were in English and Irish and the maps were in English only so if ever there was a recipe for disaster that was it.

I agree with Deputy Ring that this issue must be resolved through rational debate. There is no point in us viewing this Irish problem through Irish eyes because it largely affects foreign tourists and consistency is needed. I have often had to explain to tourists in Connemara that Carraroe is not on signposts there and that it is called An Cheathrú Rua on signposts in the area, despite the fact that maps refer to Carraroe. We all understand Dún Laoghaire in Dublin and we have no problem with Portlaoise because these placenames are consistent on maps and signposts — once the two agree there is no problem. This would also be the case if maps referred to An Cheathrú Rua.

I have previously suggested that if people want to debate this matter in a rational way the best place to do so is the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I am more than willing to go through the options, as I did previously, in search of a rational solution. Any person who suggests the 1970 regulations were reasonable from the point of view of tourists did not see them applied in practice.

In answer to the question the Deputy meant to ask, there are two studies and I think he has confused them.

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