Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I am sorry I am not a little taller, as then I could be called a "lanky lúdramán". This is an important issue. The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs should be asked to come to the House to discuss the new placenames regulations which have been introduced. We are supposed to have a bilingual policy in respect of placenames, but I do not think that is the case at present. I notice that officials have decided to change some Irish names. Plebiscites should be organised in such instances. The town of Gort in County Galway used to be known in Irish as "Gort Inse Guaire", but the reference to King Guaire has been removed from signposts. The Irish language form now used is "An Gort". People in many towns are annoyed about the watering down of the Irish language versions of placenames. Many of the amended placenames do not give the history of towns and villages. This aspect of the matter should be included in any debate.