Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of meetings that have taken place between his Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland, regarding the proposed decentralisation of Foras na Gaeilge; if agreements have been reached in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16666/05]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the decentralisation plans for Foras na Gaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16665/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 46 together.

As I have previously indicated in my reply to Question No. 74 on the 9 November 2004, the re-location of Foras na Gaeilge staff to Gaoth Dobhair is subject to the agreement of the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC. The relevant issues that require examination prior to submission of the question to the NSMC are being pursued on an ongoing basis. I understand that a further meeting will take place shortly between my Department, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Foras na Gaeilge in that regard.

In general terms, my Department meets with Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure every four to six weeks to discuss a range of issues of common interest, including the relocation proposal.