Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Question No. 45.

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 on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for its consideration. The joint committee held several meetings with stakeholders earlier this year, including meetings in the Gaeltacht, and agreed on a report with 39 recommendations, which I received on 28 July 2010. These recommendations 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 will 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 expect the draft strategy to be published shortly thereafter.

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