Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 11, line 28, to delete “the Higher Education Authority Act” and substitute “Údarás um Ard-Oideachas Act”.

Tá na leasuithe seo faoin nGaeilge. Rinneamar leasuithe ar an ábhar seo a phlé ar Chéim an Choiste agus chuir mé iad arís toisc nach raibh leasuithe ón Aire feicthe agam. We made a number of proposals on Committee Stage. I resubmitted most of those amendments because I had not seen the Minister's amendments, some of which are in this large grouping. The primary aim underlying amendment No. 2 is to ensure that the provision of Irish-medium higher education is explicitly referenced in the objective functions and strategies the údarás would have in the future. We propose that "Údarás um Ard-Oideachas" be included in future Acts and that the institution or body currently known as the Higher Education Authority be known as the Údarás um Ard-Oideachas in future. In addition, it would have as part its functions those that have been set out in the amendments we are discussing.

As I said, the amendments in this group specifically deal with the Irish language. Since it is a big group and it appeared so late, I do not know whether these amendments also cover the conditions for appointments to boards and so on. We expect that might be dealt with in a later group. The conditions relate to the ability of cathaoirleach an údaráis to be able to converse as Gaeilge and proper representation on the various boards that will be set up by an t-údarás.

I will listen to what the Minister has to say because, as I said, he has a number of amendments in this group that attempt to address the concerns raised by me and others. Conradh na Gaeilge in particular has been in contact with the Minister and other Deputies. It seemed on Committee Stage that the Minister was quite willing to go a lot of the way we were hoping for with these amendments. I do not know whether others want to contribute, but I will be happy to hear what the Minister has to say and whether his formulation of words for these amendments would deal with my concerns.

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