Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As I stated on Committee Stage, I fully endorse and support every effort to promote the use and status of the Irish language. My officials engaged with the Parliamentary Counsel on this matter. The approach considered under amendments Nos. 15, 17, 18, 20, 51 and 159 is, unfortunately, considered to be most unorthodox and introduces legal risks and discrepancies across the Statute Book. Given the concerns raised and the lack of time available to delve more deeply into these issues, I must adhere to the existing legal provisions regarding the names of other State bodies by using the English language version of the title in the English language version of the Bill. The Irish language version of the titles will of course be used in the Irish language version of the Bill.

Regarding amendment No. 51 in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the details of the particulars to be included in entries in the register should, within the bounds and directives set out in Bill, remain flexible and a matter of administrative practice which will likely evolve over time as necessary. The proposed amendment refers to names of monuments, but while some monuments have traditional names attached to them, most do not and may have been completely unknown prior to discovery through modern research. Also, the level and form of information regarding placenames to be included within the register requires flexibility. There will, for example, be entries in the register of monuments located in our coastal waters. Accordingly, I must oppose the amendment, though I can assure the Deputy that appropriate use of both official languages will be a top priority for me in the establishment of the register.

On amendment No. 172 in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I thank the Deputy for this proposal. I intend to bring forward a corresponding amendment to section 148 to provide for what is proposed here. For this reason I ask the Deputy to withdraw this amendment.

On amendments Nos. 171 and 195, amendment No. 171 provides that warnings relating to the use and possession of a detection device in the State will be in both Irish and English. Similarly, amendment No. 195 provides that signage that may be erected at monuments will be in both languages also.

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