Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the changes in boundaries that will take place which would effect the Údarás elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/08]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will set up an independent commission to review the 152 Gaeltacht electoral areas and boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12376/08]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 17: 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; and if so, the regularity with which it has met [12380/08]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the first meeting of the Cabinet-level committee to consider matters arising in the context of the analysis and recommendations of the report of the linguistic study on the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht has taken place; and if important decisions were made at the meeting. [12492/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: 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; if so, the regularity with which it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12388/08]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 16, 17, 38 and 148 together.

As I informed the House earlier in response to today's Priority Question No. 4, the Government decided to establish a Cabinet-level committee to consider matters arising in the context of the analysis and recommendations of the report on the linguistic study of the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to take place on 10 April 2008. Accordingly, no decisions have been taken at this point with regard to the Gaeltacht boundaries or electoral areas.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to hear this because the report on the linguistic study on the Irish language makes recommendations whereby categories A, B and C will be introduced. There are three Gaeltacht areas in my constituency of Mayo and the adoption of the report by the Government would mean that only Ceathrú Thaidhg would be included in any of the aforementioned categories. While I was anxious to hear the Minister's views in this regard today, he is not present and I will table another question on this matter again. Were such recommendations carried through, Belmullet, Tourmakeady and parts of Achill Island in my constituency, and County Meath would not have any representation at the Údarás, which would be a serious mistake. Members should have a debate in this House and in committee regarding any changes that might take place that would affect the representation of communities at the Údarás.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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As I noted earlier, no decisions have been taken with regard to the Gaeltacht boundaries. Deputy Ring's suggestions may constitute a useful way forward. As the Cabinet committee meets and develops its approach, one will be able to engage further in how it will be possible to implement some of the suggestions put forward by Deputy Ring and others.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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It has taken quite some time to hold the first meeting of the Cabinet committee on the staidéar teangeolaíoch. If there are to be boundary changes for the Gaeltacht, would it require legislation? Can Members anticipate the application of greater urgency in respect of the scrutiny by the Cabinet committee of the analysis and recommendations in the report? This is typical of how matters are handled in the Department in that it goes on and on, decisions are not made and a deteriorating situation becomes worse. My essential question is whether Members can have confidence that the Minister will ensure the recommendations of this study are implemented at some reasonable date and will not run on into the life of the next Government, which is highly likely. I do not envisage any situation arising in which there will be boundary changes before the next Údarás elections. Indeed, if there are to be changes regarding the boundaries, that will require other legislation. There is a great deal of technical and legislative work to be done. There is absolutely no urgency about this. The setting up of this Cabinet-level committee is really an example of tokenism.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I completely reject the assertion that this is tokenism. Anybody who knows the Minister knows that whatever else one might say about him, he is not involved in token gestures. As Deputy O'Shea noted, one of the recommendations is that certain electoral districts be redrawn with a view to combining townlands and so on, including existing Irish-speaking networks, with adjacent electoral divisions of the same linguistic profile. Obviously, this has a knock-on effect on other legislation. Due to the fact the Cabinet-level committee is high-powered, it is clear that it will be in a position to progress the recommendations, findings and a programme of action which is necessary and that the Government is committed to it.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Tá súil agam go dtiocfaidh an coiste sin le chéile go tapaidh chun gur féidir leis an obair sin a dhéanamh.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Tiocfaidh sé le chéile ar an 10ú lá d'Aibreán.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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An bhfuil sé i gceist an toghchán d'Údarás na Gaeltachta a bheith ar siúl ag an am céanna leis an toghchán áitiúil agus an toghchán Eorpach? An mbeidh siad ceangailte le chéile ionas go mbeidh siad ar fad ar siúl ar an lá céanna?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Is dócha nach bhfuil aon seans go gcuirfeadh an Teachta ceist éasca orm. Níl a fhios agam. B'fhéidir go bhfuil an t-eolas sin ag an Aire Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Ceart go leor. Cuirfidh mé ceist scríofa chuige.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Does Deputy O'Shea wish to speak again?

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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The Minister of State described the Cabinet-level committee as being high-powered. It is not high-powered in terms of its personnel. It is high-powered in terms of what it seeks to achieve and how effective it is. I do not doubt the Minister's sincerity but I am concerned about the length of time he seems to take to do pretty much anything.

The Minister of State made the point that the Minister is not involved in tokenism but if something is done but is not then developed and good results do not come from it, it is effectively token in that regard.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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An bhfuil ceist ag an Teachta?

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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The first meeting is now taking place after quite a delay. Will meetings take place on a weekly or monthly basis or can we expect to have an anniversary meeting next year?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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If there is any inference that nothing has been happening, I can tell Deputy O'Shea that the Department organised public information sessions regarding the results of the study throughout the Gaeltacht. It is proposed that the feedback from those sessions will be available to the committee to assist in its deliberations. I have no doubt the Cabinet-level committee, as happens with all such committees, will meet as and when it is necessary. I imagine the Minister will be insistent that it meets quite regularly.