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

I move amendment No. 125:

In page 65, lines 10 and 11, to delete "National Planning Framework" and substitute "Creatlach Pleanála Náisiúnta".

Tosóidh mé le leasú Uimh. 125, a bhfaigheadh réidh leis an teideal atá ann, "National Planning Framework", agus a chuirfeadh "Creatlach Pleanála Náisiúnta" ina áit. Ansin, déanfaidh mé déileáil leis an gceann a chuir mé féin isteach, Uimh. 145. The intention of this is to ensure the insertion of a reference to the protection and promotion of the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and beyond at this Stage, on which we are dealing with an creatlach pleanála náisiúnta. The Minister has taken note of what we were saying on Committee Stage but we still believe there has to be recognition of the need to plan and protect the Irish language at each level of any planning framework, regional plan, spatial plan or priority plan. Right down to the urban plans, there needs to be an outline of how the pursuit and achievement of the national objective of restoring the Irish language as a spoken language nationwide should be included.

We must also consider how to protect and enhance the community language of the Gaeltacht and ensure that the whole concept is integrated into the planning and plan-led development of the State and the language.

With amendment No. 149, I am trying to ensure that there is a specific Gaeltacht strategic development requirement relating to the viability of Gaeltacht communities and the use of the Irish within them. We are identifying that as one of the key outcomes as we plan future development across the State at different levels.

Amendment No. 154 intends to ensure that Irish-language community facilities as distinct immersive hubs are included as cultural recreational facilities when we are identifying infrastructural priorities. We must take on board what is required to protect Irish-language hubs and specific areas in the framework we are discussing and what needs to be identified and protected.

Amendment No. 158 intends to preserve the Gaeltacht settlement patterns in which the Irish language has thrived over the years but has not thrived of late because of planning restrictions and immigration in decades past. We earlier discussed the problems of short-term lets, Airbnbs and so on, which have prevented settlement plans and prevented families from living in certain areas.

Tá cosaint ag teastáil ó cheantair Ghaeltachta chun déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil an chosaint sin acu agus go bhfuil aitheantas ann go bhfuil gá leis an gcosaint sin chun go leanfaidh an fás agus an fhorbairt sna pobail bheaga sin chun déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil an teanga beo beathach agus á cur chun cinn. Muna bhfuil an infheistíocht cheart ann ó thaobh tithíochta agus muna bhfuil infheistíocht sna pobail agus ceantair seo, beidh sé deacair dóibh fás agus bláthú. Tá ceantair ann a bhfuil pleananna acu ó thaobh tithíochta ach ní féidir leo iad a bhaint amach toisc nach bhfuil an infheistíocht nó an tosaíocht sin tugtha dóibh ag Uisce Éireann nó a leithéid. Dá mbeadh sé sa phlean náisiúnta agus sa phlean réigiúnda, bheadh muid in ann díriú isteach air agus déanamh cinnte de go mbeadh níos mó tosaíochta i gceist ó thaobh Uisce Éireann de.

I leasú Uimh. 162, táimid ag iarraidh cinnte a dhéanamh de nach oidhreacht ailtireachta nó a leithéid amháin atá á cosaint againn ach go bhfuil muid ag tabhairt cosanta don oidhreacht cultúrtha agus teangeolaíochta freisin. Is iad seo na gnéithe gur gá dúinn tabhairt fúthu nuair atáimid ag iarraidh an oidhreacht a chaomhnú. Sa chuid seo, táimid ag caint faoin tírdhreach, faoin éiceolaíocht, faoin tseandálaíocht agus an ailtireacht agus faoin oidhreacht cultúrtha. Tá ailtireacht teangeolaíochta i gceist chomh maith. Táimid ag cur an teangeolaíocht isteach ansin.

I leasú Uimh. 165, táimid ag caint faoi ghnéithe breise. Tar éis alt 21(3)(b)(f), a bhí mé ag labhairt faoi roimhe, táimid ag iarraidh an chuid seo a chur isteach chun cinnte a dhéanamh de nach bhfuil aon dabht maidir le cad atá i gceist go díreach. Is é an rud atá i gceist ná:

protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Irish language and Gaeltacht communities including the promotion of Irish as the community language, specifically by supporting the implementation of language plans in Limistéir Phleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, in Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, and in Líonraí Gaeilge, pursuant to Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.

We believe this is important. When the Minister meets the representatives of Conradh na Gaeilge after the Bill has passed this House and before it goes to the Seanad, they will reiterate that this amendment has come from them. They have played a great role in looking at this legislation and trying to see how we can improve and protect the Irish language.

Is iad sin na cinn a bhí mise ag déileáil leo ach tá cinn eile sa tsraith seo. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chucu.

See this speech in context