Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar an bpointe deireanach, b’fhéidir nár chuala an Teachta cad a bhíomar ag plé sa choiste faoin ár dteanga. Aontaíonn gach Teachta atá mar bhall den choiste go bhfuil sí an-tábhachtach ar fad. Cuirfidh mé síos dhá leasuithe tábhachtacha ar son ceantair Gaeltachta ar fud an Stáit chun pleanáil speisialta a chur i bhfeidhm i ngach plean forbartha sa tír d’áiteanna ina bhfuil ceantair Ghaeltachta. What I am saying is that we discussed this at length previously. I respectfully disagree with what the Deputy is saying. We discussed at length, and rightly so, the role of the Irish language in our planning system. I gave a commitment that I would bring forward specific amendments with regard to how we would deal with Gaeltacht planning by bringing forward special plans in each county that has a Gaeltacht area as part of the development plan, go háirithe dár n-oileáin freisin - for our islands as well. Special development plans within a development plan must be done. That will be debated later. This is something that I and Deputies Ó Snodaigh, Cian O'Callaghan and Ó Broin, and, Matthews, discussed at length.

There were a couple of questions on the statutory undertakers and on the definition of "statutory undertaker". Deputies Cian O'Callaghan and Ó Broin asked about this. Sections 2 states:

“statutory undertaker” means a person authorised under any enactment to— (a) construct or operate a railway, canal, inland navigation, dock, harbour or airport,

(b) carry out works for the provision of water, gas, electricity or telecommunications services, or cause such works to be carried out, or

(c) provide services connected with, or carry out works for the purposes of, the functions of any public undertaking;

It is eminently defined there.

We have discussed the issue in relation to the newspapers. I get the point that people are making.

Most people are accessing their news information online but there are still local and regional newspapers. I was not being dismissive of the amendment, but there is an issue with the definitions and details in it. For example, would circulation be in the past month or year? What would that be and what newspapers would we decide to pick? We will set out the details in the regulations. The local authority will be able to determine which newspapers will be approved based on local knowledge. I get the point that a newspaper would not exist if it only had a circulation of five. However, as Deputy O'Callaghan knows from the area where we live, the Fingal Independent, unfortunately,is no more. Regional and local newspapers are under pressure. That is something the local authorities would be able to set out themselves after we publish the regulations.

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