Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Last year the State and the local authorities spent €1.8 million on translation of documents. In the past six years, €6 million has been spent on the translation of documents. It is Fine Gael's view that this money could be better spent on the Irish language. It is like the film "Lost in Translation". This is what is happening - they are lost in translation.

I put it to the Minister that it is now time for a review of the Act itself. The Minister says he is telling local authorities and State agencies that putting information on their websites will do, rather then printing out all the documents. We cannot afford another €1.8 million next year. When there is talk of cutting the home help service, charging for medical cards and cutting services at hospitals, we cannot afford to spend €1.8 million translating documents that nobody wants.

The Minister is attending tomorrow's meeting of the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Can we hear a review of the Act? Will the Minister agree at least to tell local authorities and State agencies they do not need to spend so much money? They should put documents up on their websites for people to download, which will cover their obligations under the Act. Will he issue a ministerial order, once and for all, telling them to do this?

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