Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

In the consultation process an údarás na Gaeilge Bill is being considered. I have been taking part in the consultations myself. What is listed in the legislative programme is a Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú). People are asking if it is the Government's intention to have an údarás na Gaeilge chomh maith le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta. Has the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill been withdrawn from the Government's legislative programme? I do not wish to misconstrue anything said by the Tánaiste or the Taoiseach but I understood the Tánaiste to say, explicitly, that the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill was gone and that there was now to be reachtaíocht úr.

This is important for the existing functions of Údarás na Gaeltacht with regard to employment, services, cultural activities and so forth. Clarification would be useful.

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