Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

It has taken quite some time to hold the first meeting of the Cabinet committee on the staidéar teangeolaíoch. If there are to be boundary changes for the Gaeltacht, would it require legislation? Can Members anticipate the application of greater urgency in respect of the scrutiny by the Cabinet committee of the analysis and recommendations in the report? This is typical of how matters are handled in the Department in that it goes on and on, decisions are not made and a deteriorating situation becomes worse. My essential question is whether Members can have confidence that the Minister will ensure the recommendations of this study are implemented at some reasonable date and will not run on into the life of the next Government, which is highly likely. I do not envisage any situation arising in which there will be boundary changes before the next Údarás elections. Indeed, if there are to be changes regarding the boundaries, that will require other legislation. There is a great deal of technical and legislative work to be done. There is absolutely no urgency about this. The setting up of this Cabinet-level committee is really an example of tokenism.

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