Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Fáiltím roimh an Aire agus an cur síos a thug sé dúinn ar an Bhille, a bhí thar a bheith soiléir. Tuigimid uilig go bhfuil riachtanas dlí leis an reachtaíocht seo. Ó bheith ag éisteacht leis an Aire, is féidir liom a rá nach bhfuil aon amhras ormsa. Tríd is tríd, is rud bunúsach é seo ó thaobh cúrsaí teicniúla de. Tá sé tábhachtach freisin, áfach, go ndéanfaí é.

In welcoming the Minister to the House, I thank him for the explanation of the Bill he has provided. It is also quite evident that we must respond to the legal advice of the Office of the Attorney General. Incidentally, it also underlines the very comprehensive nature of the Minister's portfolio. Many of the headings provided are in themselves comprehensive — community development and voluntary activity; rural development; co-ordination of the national drugs strategy; the Irish language, including co-ordination of policy in that regard; and the development of the Gaeltacht and the islands. North-South co-operation within the ambit of those functions includes matters relating to Ulster-Scots heritage, culture and language. In 2002 we were dealing essentially with statutory instruments, and it is clear from the comprehensive nature of the portfolio that it was important to provide an integrated statutory basis for all those areas.

I compliment the Minister and his Department on the manner in which they have fulfilled that role, even in the absence of such a basis. Let us take the islands as an example. There was a time when we were very much afraid for them, and we often recall the exodus from the Blasket Islands. It was extremely sad that it happened, and one saw an entire heritage sidelined.

Under the Minister's tenure, one has seen new life coming in. That is very important, first of all from the perspective of human rights, but also from that of the islands' heritage and the contribution that they can make to tourism. I am glad to see them receive special mention. Whether we are dealing with students or householders, if we feel there is a need to ensure people there have the same rights as those on the mainland, it is important that they be safeguarded.

I was also glad to hear Senator Coghlan speak on the Bill. It is evident that there are no political footballs here, and the Senator put it very well when he said we would all welcome a Bill such as this. It is much better to deal with it now than to encounter a legal trip-wire at a later stage. There was near unanimity in this House on the Official Languages Act 2003 and on according working status to Irish in the EU. We have had excellent debates in the House, spearheaded by the Minister. Even if there were no other element to the portfolio, as was the case years ago, when one had Roinn na Gaeltachta, it would be all-embracing. There is much good news, and that is why there is a welcome for any legislation that underpins and copperfastens what is already happening. My spirits are raised when I see that, at long last, we are taking Irish seriously, and that every effort will be made to ensure the excellent goodwill in that regard is capitalised on. I do not have any doubt that will happen in the future.

It is logical to deal with community and rural development together. I have always considered it the best possible value for money if people are prepared to do things for themselves but require some assistance from the State, whether it is a case of the county manager or the Department interacting with a community. Under the Minister's guidance, these two areas have genuinely been energised. People who have been involved, largely on a voluntary basis, feel they are getting recognition.

Fáiltím roimh an Bhille, agus tá ceist curtha ag Senator Coghlan on what happens to the Bill next. I am sure the Minister will respond to that.

On an aside regarding Daingean Uí Chúis, we have had some great discussions on this matter. No area has got more publicity from a tourism point of view than Daingean Uí Chúis has got from that debate, to such an extent that The New York Times rang me to discuss what was happening. I have been told that over Easter, Daingean Uí Chúis was packed to the rafters. It is people——