Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Cabinet level committee established to consider recommendations arising out of the linguistic study of the usage of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht has met [5684/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government, having noted the report of the linguistic study on the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, decided late last year to establish a Cabinet-level committee to consider matters arising in the context of the analysis and recommendations of the report and to agree an integrated action plan to secure the future of Irish as the community language in the Gaeltacht. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for later this month. In addition, a series of public meetings has been under way in recent weeks regarding the findings of the report and it is expected that the feedback from those meetings will be made available to assist the committee in its deliberations.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Did the Minister state that the committee has not yet met, but that it will meet this month?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am disappointed. The report was published before Christmas and the House was told that, in light of its recommendations, a Cabinet sub-committee had been set up. I expected the committee to have met, not once, but every week since then given that, the day it was debated in the Dáil, there was such concern regarding the report.

There is a considerable problem in terms of the usage of the Irish language. We are told that the Government is serious about the issue, but if that is the case and the report was published in December, why has the committee still not met by the middle of this month, St. Valentine's Day? This does not show concern or a commitment to the Irish language. When does the Minister expect a decision to be made on the report, when does he expect a strategy to be drawn up, will consultants be hired, how much money was put in place for the strategy and how much of that money will be spent on consultants? I am disappointed, as I believed the committee would have met already.

There was a recent debate across the country, including in my county and in respect of Dingle-Daingean Uí Chúis in County Kerry. What is the Department's opinion? People are concerned, particularly in terms of tourism, about being unable to understand where they are. I have no problem with three quarters of a signpost being in Irish if there is something in English to explain to people where it is they are going.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know whether the second question is relevant. I would suggest——

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister could answer it anyway. He rolled out so many, I found it difficult to ask any questions.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I will answer the question if the Deputy wishes me to prioritise it. The situation since 1970 has been that, legally, if one is going to Belmullet, the signpost in Bangor Erris states "Belmullet" whereas the signpost across the Gaeltacht boundary states "Béal an Mhuirthead" while "Belmullet" has disappeared. The Deputy is correct that this has caused significant confusion. In fact, it has caused more confusion in Deputy McGinley's constituency. The problem in Letterkenny was a place named Dungloe ceased to be called that around Glenveagh National Park and began to be called An Clochán Liath. This change made no sense to people and, to put it mildly, was a farce.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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What of Baile na nGalloglach?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Sin ceann eile. The problem was since 1970 these placenames were required to be in Irish only due to a legal regulation passed by the then Minister, former Deputy Bobby Molloy. Outside these places their names were in English and Irish and the maps were in English only so if ever there was a recipe for disaster that was it.

I agree with Deputy Ring that this issue must be resolved through rational debate. There is no point in us viewing this Irish problem through Irish eyes because it largely affects foreign tourists and consistency is needed. I have often had to explain to tourists in Connemara that Carraroe is not on signposts there and that it is called An Cheathrú Rua on signposts in the area, despite the fact that maps refer to Carraroe. We all understand Dún Laoghaire in Dublin and we have no problem with Portlaoise because these placenames are consistent on maps and signposts — once the two agree there is no problem. This would also be the case if maps referred to An Cheathrú Rua.

I have previously suggested that if people want to debate this matter in a rational way the best place to do so is the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I am more than willing to go through the options, as I did previously, in search of a rational solution. Any person who suggests the 1970 regulations were reasonable from the point of view of tourists did not see them applied in practice.

In answer to the question the Deputy meant to ask, there are two studies and I think he has confused them.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I believe the Minster is both asking and answering questions but he has less than a minute before I ask Deputy Ring to table his final supplementary question.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Deputy seek an answer on the matter of a timeframe?

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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One issue is the preparation of a national, 20-year strategy for the Irish language and the other is an Staidéir Teangeolaíochta ar Úsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, the linguistic study. We intend to have made decisions on both of these by the end of the year. No more consultants will be hired for the linguistic study as we have already paid consultants for that but, regarding the 20-year strategy, we will pay for consultants with international expertise. It is logical to treat the Irish language inside and outside the Gaeltacht as one and produce a common answer. There was a meeting of Foras na Gaeilge yesterday and I said no matter how slow the start is the finish line is fixed. This matter will be concluded not later than 31 December 2008.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Regarding the report, the Minister spoke of the promotion of the Irish language and its regeneration in the Gaeltacht. Can the Minister explain how the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin, will have English taught in Gaeltacht areas? It seems the Minister for Education and Science seeks to have part of the curriculum in gaelscoileanna taught through English. How does this fit in with Deputy Ó Cuív's policy?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That question goes well beyond the scope of the Deputy's original question and is more appropriate for the Minister for Education and Science.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I think the Minister will answer.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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If the Minister cannot restrain himself he may give an answer.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot restrain myself and would hate to disappoint my good colleague from Mayo.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I knew the Minister would answer, fair play to him.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The linguistic study of the Gaeltacht makes some radical proposals regarding education and these, along with the other proposals, will be considered by the Cabinet sub-committee. It is too early to say what decisions will be made.