Written answers

Thursday, 19 May 2005

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Irish Language

5:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to recent reported comments from a person (details supplied) that the lack of a national plan for the Irish language has serious implications for the Government's commitment to language maintenance and revival; his plans to establish such a national plan; his views on the form and content which should be fundamental to any such plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/05]

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether there was insufficient discussion on issues relating to the Irish language, culture, and the Gaeltacht in the formulation of the national spatial strategy and the national development plan; his further views on whether the absence of such discussion is detrimental to the maintenance and development of the Irish language; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16662/05]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to establish a special task force comprising representatives of the State and voluntary sector as well as specialists in language planning and policy to develop a national plan for Irish language planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16670/05]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 21 and 31 together.

As already indicated on the record of the House, I have established Fóram na Gaeilge, which includes representatives of relevant State and voluntary organisations with expertise on a wide range of language policy and practice issues, to advise me in relation to the advisability of preparing a 20-year strategic plan with realistic goals for the Irish language in the State; the short-term strategic priorities for the preservation and the promotion of the Irish language within the State; the priorities regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act; and the best and most practical ways to achieve progress with regard to the implementation of that work.

I envisage that the fóram's considerations will cover most facets of modern life and how best to promote the Irish language in the 21st century, including issues, as appropriate, that relate to the national economic and spatial development planning processes.

As the Deputy is aware, I asked members of the fóram to submit their views in relation to the development of an Irish language plan and related short-term priority issues. Work on these matters is continuing in my Department.

In relation to the national development programme, I draw the Deputy's particular attention to the provision of funding for the islands and Gaeltacht under the local infrastructure — non-national roads measure, the local infrastructure sub-programme — urban and village renewal measure and the Gaeltacht — islands harbour sub-measure.

The national spatial strategy has specific references to linguistic heritage, the Gaeltacht and islands, and cultural identities, and outlines policy responses to relevant areas.

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