Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important that I read out the last part of the reply, which relates to the various policies to which the Deputy referred. Membership of the working group established by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is made up of representatives from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is committed to working with the relevant stakeholders in the coming months with a view to agreeing practical improvements and best practice processes that will support and enhance the important policy and legislative provisions that are in place.

Separately, and to support and accelerate the work in train, earlier this month, Department officials met with the relevant officials in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and both Departments will continue to engage closely in this regard. The Deputy may be assured that the Department is committed to ensuring that procedures and systems will be tailored as appropriate, in co-operation with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Údarás na Gaeltachta, to facilitate an effective and consistent approach by the relevant local authorities. Given the work that is currently under way, the ongoing engagement with the relevant stakeholders, the unique spatial and linguistic circumstances relating to each of our Gaeltacht areas, with local variations between communities, and the context in which the Irish language is spoken, the Minister is of the view that the relevant planning authorities are best placed to implement the planning framework of legislation, policy and guidance that has been outlined. He is satisfied there are appropriate planning oversight mechanisms and safeguards in place, which include the OPR and An Bord Pleanála.

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