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

Labhair mé faoi roinnt de na leasuithe atá curtha síos maidir le - mar a dúirt an tAire - ceist an teanga agus ceist na Gaeltachta ach go háirithe, ach rudaí eile dá leithéid freisin. Táimid ag déileáil leis an straitéis eacnamaíochta agus an straitéis réigiúnach agus ag déanamh iarrachta arís, leis na leasuithe atá agam i gCaibidil 3 den Bhille seo, déileáil leis na rudaí céanna. Táimid ag iarraidh cinnte a dhéanamh de i ngach uile Caibidil go bhfuil meas á tabhairt don seoid atá againn ó thaobh ár dteanga náisiúnta ach chomh maith leis sin, aitheantas a thabhairt agus cosaint a dhéanamh ar an nGaeltacht agus an gá atá ann í a chosaint.

I have tried in my amendments to ensure - in the last section where we were dealing with the national section and in this section where we are dealing with regional, spatial and economic strategies – that those who are drawing up the strategies are mindful of the need to have a linguistic strategy that gives recognition to the status of the Gaeltacht region as a whole. It is a region, which is why it would fit in perfectly here. I acknowledge that there is a protection of the linguistic and cultural heritage mentioned under the content of the regional spatial and economic strategy and what we are trying to do is enhance it. It is not cutting across it, but it is a pity it was not part of the national strategy. The comments we make are fair. It is appropriate because it is already there, so amendment No. 237 is only trying to enhance the protection.

At the moment the Gaeltacht is a series of areas. "An Ghaeltacht" is a singular region in itself, albeit in eight different areas. We have amendments but we might not reach them. There is a problem when people talk about Gaeltachtaí or Gaeltachts. There is only one Gaeltacht. There are Gaeltacht areas or regions but there is only one in the context of later amendments from the Minister.

The Gaeltacht at the moment is static, but in another way that is not the case because we now have language planning areas. We have the bailte seirbhíse agus líonraí Gaeltachta, areas where we are trying to not only preserve and protect the language, heritage and linguistic culture within the Gaeltacht region but it is Government strategy to tie in those serviced towns. There is a recognition, for instance, of Tralee and other areas and the role that they play in servicing the Gaeltacht area that is next to them. Then there are language planning areas that have or should have a status over and above the rest of the area surrounding the Gaeltacht. The reason for that is State institutions have already designated those areas, be it Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge, but that is not reflected in this Bill - that there is an extra dimension, if one wants, to the areas that are up against the region in question. That is why it is important that is recognised. It is not adding any extra duties on the State.

It just requires that when plans are drawn up, those drawing them up are cognisant of the language strategy the State has drawn up and the need to give effect to it.

My amendment No. 238 is also in this grouping. It seeks to enhance the definition of landscapes and ensure there is recognition of historic landscapes and their context. We have had the debate about the buildings on Moore Street and other locations. In the past, there was a big debate about the Hill of Tara and other historic landscapes. This amendment is not necessarily about setting a protection. It is about ensuring that when strategies are being drawn up, there is cognisance of this issue and reflection on it. When devising strategies, protection often comes at a later stage through preservation orders, protection orders and otherwise. This amendment provides that when drawing up strategies, at the very minimum, we must ensure those drawing them up have a recognition of these issues.

My leasú Uimh. 235 relates to the content of the regional, spatial and economic strategy. Section 29(1)(k) refers to "the preservation and protection of the environment and its amenities, including the archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage". We are asking that there also be some recognition of the cultural and linguistic landscape or heritage of a region. Section 29 begins with the statement, "A regional, spatial and economic strategy shall make provision for the following matters". Including this additional provision is not as onerous as it might seem. At least if it is in the draft strategy when it is drawn up or when it goes to public consultation, people can add to it.

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