Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a ghabháil roimh an Aire. Cuirim fáilte roimh an seans cúpla rud a rá faoin reachtaíocht seo. Bhí toghchán an údaráis le tarlú sé mhí i ndiadh na toghcháin rialtais áitiúla, ach tá athrú molta sa Bhille seo. Tuigim anois go dtarlóidh an toghchán sa bhliain 2012. Tá an Aire agus an Rialtas ag caint mar gheall ar an straitéis 20 bliain. Bhí díospóireacht againn ag an gcoiste mar gheall ar an straitéis agus ainm an udaráis. Tá daoine ag moladh go n-aithreofaí an t-ainm ó"Údarás na Gaeltachta" go "Údarás na Gaeilge" nó"Údarás na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge". Tá sé tábhachtacht, pé ainm a bheidh againn, go mbeidh úsáid na Gaeilge ar ár intinn nuair atá an Bille seo agus an údarás á phlé againn. Dúirt Colm McCarthy ón mbord snip gur cheart críoch a chur leis an údarás agus a chuid freagrachtaí a thabhairt do Enterprise Ireland. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil sé sin ceart ach an oiread.

It is important to point out that Údarás na Gaeltachta has been concerned in a major way with employment and has done much good work in promoting employment in Gaeltacht areas. This is not the only function carried out by the authority.

I welcome what the údarás has done with regard to ferry transport. I refer to transport to the Aran Islands in County Galway as well. The údarás has been involved a good deal in air travel to the islands, which should not be forgotten.

I refer to some other matters often forgotten, for example, the idea of providing child care projects in Gaeltacht areas. The údarás has been very proactive in securing sites for child care and crèches. Similarly, there are co-operatives in some of the smaller Gaeltachts such as Rath Cairn and Baile Ghib in County Meath.

Another important feature of Údarás na Gaeltachta is the fact that it works very effectively with local authorities. I understand it works with the local authorities in Donegal and Galway especially towards the further development of the Gaeltacht in those counties.

The údarás record on employment is very good. It is true to say the údarás has lost very few jobs in Gaeltacht areas. Recently, I met the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, in Indrebhán at the opening of a factory.

The údarás also moves with the times. It was proactive when it became apparent that TG4 would come on stream. The authority was able to make its programmes suitable to people coming to work with TG4. In Belmullet, County Mayo, I understand a great effort was made by Údarás na Gaeltachta to create a building which could facilitate local authority work, including road tax, planning applications and library facilities, and a court house within its regional office. That is a good practical example of an t-údarás and local authorities working together. There have been good stories involving this agency in the areas of fish farming and pharmaceuticals. As a Member representing a non-Gaeltacht area, I have been jealous that an t-údarás has been too good. Sometimes it secured grants for so-called sensitive industries such as light engineering and cement production, which could not be secured for other areas outside the Gaeltacht. I was a member of Galway County Council and I was very much aware of its partnership with an t-údarás. I hope the example of Carraroe library can be replicated in other parts of the country.

The straitéis represents a new departure in the work of an t-údarás, with the body getting involved in universities. There is a budget for education and perhaps the Minister can indicate the allocation when he replies. Questions have been asked about an t-údarás getting involved in education when the priority should be employment and industrial development. I welcome its involvement in the sector, although others have a different view. The question of how Roinn na Gaeltachta features in this issue must also be addressed.

Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an díospóireacht seo ar siúl anocht. Tá an t-údarás an-tábhachtach agus tá súil agam go mbeidh sé in ann níos mó post a chur ar fáil. Tá súil agam freisin go n-éireoidh leis an Aire forbairt a dhéanamh sa Ghaeltacht. Tá baill an údaráis ag obair go dian. Anois tá an straitéis 20 bliain ann agus ní mór dúinn obair le chéile ar son na Gaeltachta agus ar son na Gaeilge. Tá níos mó le déanamh ar son tuarasóireachta sa Ghaeltacht. Téann a lán daoine óga chuig na coláistí samhraidh chun an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. Uaireanta, téann an chlann iomlán go dtí an Ghaeltacht. Tá comórtas peile na Gaeltachta ag feabhsú, le tuilleadh daoine ag glacadh páirte sa chomórtas sin.

Caithfimid moladh a thabhairt do Raidió na Gaeltachta agus do TG4. Déanann siad cur síos iontach ar nuacht na Gaeltachta agus ar cheol, ar rince agus ar chultúr na háite. Mar fhreagra don Teachta O'Shea, táúsáid na Gaeilge le cloisteáil sna Gaelscoileanna agus sna scoileanna Gaeltachta.

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