Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

It is a 20-year strategy, not a 20-week one. Everybody is serious about this matter. A unit has been established in my Department to co-ordinate the implementation of the strategy as soon as the final document is published. Some €1.5 million has been set aside in the coming year's Estimates specifically for rolling out the initial phases. Whatever Governments are in office over that 20-year period will have to adhere to the strategy. It is recommended that the Cabinet sub-committee on Gaeilge and the Gaeltacht will have a monitoring role in implementing the strategy, as will the Dáil, and the Seanad if it is around. To answer Deputy McGinley's question, I am convinced that it is possible to implement the 20 year strategy in full, but every Government will have to make a commitment. The fact that parties on the other side of the House have taken ownership of the strategy reassures me that it will be possible.

Of course it will involve resources, year on year. That is why resources will have to be committed to it. I am advised that €1.5 million will be sufficient to roll out the initial phases of the strategy. There will be other parts to it. The education sector will have to play a part in the strategy, as well as other Departments.

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