Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 5, line 8 after "AS" to insert "OIFIG NÁISIÚNTA D'FHORBAIRT EACNAMAÍOCH AGUS SHÓISIALACH, OR IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE".

Tá súil agam go bhfuil a fhios ag an Tigh go mbím dáiríre i gcónaí faoi thábhacht na teanga agus faoin tábhacht a bhaineann leis an tsiombalaíocht a théann leis an dóigh a láimhseálann muid í. De ghnáth, the tradition and the practice is to insert the Irish title of the office into the Long Title. I am somewhat confused as to what is the Government's position because the Long Title of the National Sports Campus Development Authority Act contains both the English and Irish names. In the Registration of Deeds and Title Act, the Property Registration Authority, An tÚdarás Clárúcháin Maoine, is also mentioned in the Long Title as well as in the text of the Act and the Road Safety Authority Act also refers to the authority in both languages in the Long Title as an tÚdarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre. I am at a loss as to what is the policy, or does it depend on the peculiar mood of a particular person in the drafting office?

It would be useful to establish a standard practice in this regard. There is no convincing reason not to adhere to best practice, which is to refer to both of our constitutionally recognised languages in the Long Title, for which there appears to be plentiful precedent. It is a pity this is not the case. Any Minister in this or any alternative Government would agree with such an approach but it seems some unknown person has advised it is not necessary. Although I accept this is the case, it is nevertheless appropriate. Tá dhá theanga aitheanta ag an mBunreacht sa tír seo a ndeirimid go dtabharfaimid tacaíocht dóibh. Part of this is to give the Irish language appropriate acknowledgement.

Although I hesitate to mention his name given the mayhem he brought on the Government some weeks ago, Mr. Justice Hardiman has pointed to the need to have legislation translated expeditiously into the two languages. It is an excuse I rarely use when discussing legislation but I point out that I am not a lawyer as I wonder what is the legal basis for the inclusion of a Long Title. If there is such a legal basis, the Long Title should include a reference to the two official languages. I hope the Minister of State can offer some reason for this omission other than the mere observation that the inclusion of such a reference is not necessary. I do not have the legal knowledge to say it is necessary but I believe it is profoundly appropriate.