Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy will be aware, the draft 20 year strategy for Irish was published by the Government at the end of 2009 and was referred to the Joint Committee for Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for consideration.

The joint committee undertook a process of consultations with various stakeholders during the year. It invited groups and individuals from the various Gaeltacht areas and throughout Ireland to engage with them in putting forward recommendations for the preservation and development of the Irish language. At one meeting, held in the Galway Gaeltacht, people had an opportunity to address members of the joint committee. The committee subsequently agreed on a report with 39 recommendations, which I received on 28 July 2010. The recommendations covered various topics such as education, Údarás na Gaeltachta, voluntary organisations, summer colleges and the Gaeltacht and are currently being considered by my Department in co-operation with other relevant Departments.

It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and that the final draft can be brought before the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht and, subsequently, to Government. It is hoped that the next meeting of the Cabinet committee will take place on 17 November 2010, when the final draft will be discussed with a view to submitting it formally to Government. Subject to Government approval, I anticipate that the draft strategy will be published shortly thereafter.

With regard to having a debate on the draft strategy, there was a full debate of the report of the joint committee in the Seanad yesterday, in which I participated. As the Deputy will understand, the matter of having any additional debates is a matter for the Whips.

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